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COPVRIGHT 1888 .— All Rights Reserved. 





FROM OUTTHE ^ADOWS 

A STORY OF LOVE AND DUTY. 

C 


“ I will always be true to you, Eddie, let come what 
will. My heart cannot turn from its first love.” 

They were taking leave of each other, these two, for 
the first time; and the parting seemed much harder, as 
they did not expect to meet again in years. He was 
going to build up a practice in a western city, and some 
day would come to claim his own. They had grown up 
together, and loved each other from childhood. 

Kittie Lee was the only child of a widowed mother, 
whose poor health required all the attention her little 
hands could give her, and not all the lovers in the world 
could take her away. 

Eddie Sprague, the son of a wealthy merchant in the 

city of D , had just been admitted ^to the bar, and 

was therefore anxious to build up a name for himself. 
So he decided “to go West.” He had coaxed and 


2 


Fro7n Out The Shadows. 


coaxed, and used all his powers of persuasion for Kittie 
to go too. But no, the love she bore her only parent was 
stronger than her love for him. 

I would go, Eddie,” she said, “ but I cannot leave my 
mother. I am her all. What would she do without me? 
Who would bear with her little whims and grievances? 
Think you I could be happy, knowing that strange hands 
were ministering to her wants? Her days, I feel, are 
numbered, and how glad I shall be, in the time to come, 
that I did not grieve her poor, over-laden heart to seek 
happiness elsewhere.” 

So they parted with many vows of constancy, each 
promising eternal fidelity. Ah ! how little we know what 
the future holds for us all If our guardian angel could 
only lift the veil futurity and let us see what is before us. 
How many, many heartaches we could be spared. 

* ^ ^ ^ 

Madge Arleigh was a belle and coquette. She had no 
heart, consequently was devoid of much feeling. Her 
aim was to win lovers, and when she had them in her 
power would laugh them to scorn, and cast them aside, 
as a child would fling aside a broken toy. 

Many and many a time sweet Kittie Lee had tried to 
show her how wrong it was to trifle with the feelings of 
others; that some day she would rue her foolishness. 
But she would only laugh and say, “ Men’s hearts were 
made to be broken,” 


From Out The Shadows. 


3 


Madge always laughed at Kittle, and called her saint. 
But that did not matter, it only served to strengthen the 
belief in Kittie’s mind, that love is life. 

Eddie Sprague had flirted quite a little with Madge, 
and had won what little love she had in her heart, and 
she determined to win him at any sacrifice. Kittle would 
not mourn him long, she thought, and if it did break her 
heart, what matter? She was young, and would soon 
get over it. One day, little thinking what would be the 
result, Eddie wrote Madge a very friendly letter, in which 
he S} oke of his future prospects, little thinking of the 
consequences. She, with her quiet wit, saw at once that 
he would be a good catch, and so set to work to win him 
away from the unsuspecting girl. 

Time passed on, the correspondence was kept up, let- 
ters were quite frequent, and grew warmer and warmer, 
until, at last, his were very lover-like. Poor Kittle, her 
"time was so taken up with her now almost helpless 
mother, that she found very little time for sentiment or 
letter writing. She felt such confidence in her lover that 
she never, for one moment, doubted but that his love 
would last forever. She little dreamed that a serpent in 
friendly shape was working hard to break her youthful 
heart. 

One day, when Kittle was stealing a few moments to 
linger among her flowers, she was surprised by a call 
from Madge, who came in the disguise of a friend, to en- 
quire after her dear rnother; and after a few moments 


4 


From Out The Shadows. 


spent very pleasantly with the unsuspecting girl, she de- 
parted quite satisfied with her visit. Poor Kittk, had she 
thought of treachery, she would have been more guarded 
in her truthfulness. How little we realize that friendship 
is “ only a name.” Madge, m her wicked heart, planned 
deeply to injure the innocent girl, whose life was spent 
in ministering to her helpless mother. Madge wrote 
Eddie a long letter, in which she spoke very lightly of 
Kittie, and mentioned a certain gentleman who called 
quite frequently at the cottage. “I think,” she wrote,, 
“you had better look after your lady love, or you w. I ose 
her; she stands hours at the gate, taking a long good- 
bye.” This letter furnished food for Eddie’s jealous 
nature, and in a moment of anger he wrote Kittie a long 
letter, and upbraided her for her infidelity, not thinking 
for a moment that he had wronged her through the false- 
hood of an unprincipled woman. 


CHAPTER II. 

“ Kittie dear, you have heard me speak very little of 
my past, or my people. I feel now that my life is almost 
ended, and I think it is best to tell 3^ou something of my- 
self.” Thus spoke Mrs. Lee to her daughter, after a 
night of weary watching and pain. “ I was born in Eng- 
land, whither my parents had gone to seek health for m^r 


From Out The Shadows. 


5 


^mother, who was so delicate that even a breath of air 
seemed to shock her nervous system. My father idolized 
his wife, and every care and attention was given to her 
to prolong her life, but, alas, when I was born, her gentle 
spirit fled, before I had scarcely breathed. My father 
laid her to rest there in a beautiful spot in the village 
churchyard, but he left his heart buried within her grave; 
and, I have heard many say, that he seldom smiled, 
or cared to mix with the world after her death. I was 
his idol. Never had I ever received an unkind word or 
look from my dear father. I was not even sent away to 
school for fear something would occur to mar my 
happiness. I had tutors and governesses, but not one 
was allowed to correct me or complain to my father. 
‘ She is the apple of my eye,’ he would say, ‘ and her life 
must be one bed of roses.’ Poor father, how little he 
knew of the future.” 

“I was past fifteen when one day my father was 
brought home almost dead. A pet horse, a very spirited 
animal, he had been riding, had shied at some object, and, 
almost before he knew it, his life was nearly crushed out. 
They brought him home at the close of day, when I was 
in my accustomed place, on the gate post, watching his 
return — for no sooner had he left home than I began to 
anticipate his return. I was deeply attached to my father, 
and what wonder when he loved me so dearly^ and in 
return I gave him the love I would have borne both par- 
ents. Judge my feelings when they told me he would 


6 


From Out The Shadows. 


never speak again. My idolized father, what would I da 
without him? I had no relative living, that I knew of, 
except an old aunt of my father’s, whom I had never 
seen, and I had heard her spoken of as a cross, crabbed 
old maid. Of course when I was left alone I thought of 
her, and requested that she be sent for, but when she 
came I soon discovered that my life would not flow in 
such smooth channels as heretofore. My father had 
lingered on for several days after the accident, and never 
shall I forget the peaceful look of that loved face, when 
I bent down for the last time to kiss those lips and eyes 
sealed forever. I could not give him up to death, and 
begged him to look at me, just once more; but kind 
friends carried me away, and when they bore him from 
his home, I was in blessed oblivion, and laid unconscious 
for weeks. That is years ago, but Kittie, I have never 
ceased to mourn for that dear father, taken from me when 
I needed him so much. God’s ways are not our ways, 
and, although I have passed through the vicissitudes of 
life, I have never ceased thinking of him who made my 
early years so happy. 

. “ My aunt, who now filled the place of my father to me, 
grew to love me as much as it was possible for her to do- 
so. Owing to an early disappointment in love, she 
become indifferent to all men. Her heart was a sealed 
volume, -and no one dared to scan its pages. I loved her 
too, and although her stern manner, sometimes repulsive 
in the extreme, awed my bouyant spirits beyond control, I 


Ff'om Out The Shadows. 


7 


respected her affliction, and sympathized deeply with her 
poor lacerated heart. I know she meant me kindness 
when she advised me in regard to my future life, but she 
forgot that there was a wide difference between her age 
and mine. 

I was a dreaming girl, just budding into womanhood^ 
and life held nothing but roses and sunshine for me, while 
her life was but the remains and ashes of a happy past. 
I looked upon life as a great enigma to be solved some 
day to my anxious waiting heart, therefore I could not 
bring my thoughts and ideas to concur with hers. 

When I was a little past seventeen I chanced to meet 
my fate. I had never known what love was, excepting 
the love I bore my father and aunt, so, of course, I did 
not realize the great dream of life, until I met your father. 
I had a great habit of wandering about the grounds sur- 
rounding our house, of which I never told you. It seems 
to me I can hear the music now of the dear old pine trees 
whose low murmur made sweetest music in my heart. 
The house, a low rambling old grey stone structure, stood 
on a side hill, and had an old-fashioned gabled roof, 
whose dormer windows furnished a comfortable receptacle 
for the many dear birds, who warbeled notes of gladness 
from morning until night. At the right there was what 
seemed a dense forest of pine trees, in which I passed a 
greater part of each day in summer, dreaming dreams of 
happiness which were never realized. 


8 


From Out The Shadows. 


“ As one approached the house from the main road 
nothing could be seen but flowers and a terrace of 
velvety green, with fountains playing here and there, 
throwing sprays of rainbow hues, in which birds of almost 
every conceivable plumage were skipping about, and 
twittering in low melodious tones. To the left lay a long 
stretch of fertile land, and when the corn and wheat fields 
were greenest, it seemed to me, there was not a more 
beautiful spot on earth. 

“Father called our home Roseneath, because the house 
was almost hidden in roses. We were only a few miles 
from the city, and many hunters found their way to our 
home. The stables were perfection, for poor father had 
a great love for horses, and his stables were noted for 
the fine imported stock, which was his pride. I had my 
own pony, and passed many happy hours galloping over 
the ground which was very dear to me. One day as, I 
sat reading, a pure white dove dropped suddenly in my 
lap, and I saw at once that it was only wounded. ‘ Poor, 
innocent, wounded birdling,’ I cried. There was no one 
in sight, and I could not help shedding tears over its 
misfortune, when a voice full of sympathy startled me into 
my senses. 

“ ‘Oh! darling.’ I can hear the music of that voice still 
ringing in my ears. 

“ I am very sorry that I have been the cause of those 
tears. I came out more for recreation than pleasure; 


From Out The Shadows, 


9 


iDut now my afternoon is spoiled, and my happiness 
checked by the tears of youth and innocence.” 

“ Oh, sir; it seems terrible to think for one moment 
that such beautiful birds should suffer for the momentary 
pleasure of hunters. I can’t concieve why they should 
be killed. I love the birds, and they are my constant 
companions. Therefore, I cannot bear to see them 
suffer.” 

‘‘ Well, little one, I will not kill any more birds to-day 
if you will tell me your name, and where you live.” 

“ My name is Winnie Hildreth. Now, what is yours?” 
I asked him as innocently as I would have asked a child. 
His bright, black eyes were bent searchingly upon me, 
and I felt a mesmeric power hold me under its influence. 
I can hardly describe him, my bonny, black-eyed lover. 
I thought him an angel in disguise — tall, straight, broad- 
shouldered, with curling, jet black hair, and eyes of mid- 
blackness. Not those eyes you see whose blackness 
pierce you with their searching, stern and cold affection, 
but mild and tender, shining with a glow of love rarely 
seen. I was very youthful-looking for my age, had never 
mixed in society, in fact knew very little of men. Of 
course those gentlemen who came to see my father were 
mostly business men, and I rarely, if ever, saw them. 
My hair hung in ringlets to my waist, and was that 
same golden hue* of yours. My complexion was perfect. 
I looked a child of fourteen. 


lo From Out The Shadows. 

“ You have been so honest in telling me your name,’^ 
said he, ‘‘ that I will not hesitate to tell you mine. It is 
simply William Lee; not a very musical name, eh, little 
one?” 

Oh, sir, what does a name signify? You know what 
Shakespeare says about a rose? But, sir, you look tired 
and hungry, and as it is near our dinner hour, I am sure 
Aunt Lettie would be delighted to have you for a guest.” 

So we started home, I bearing my dead friend, and he 
walking beside, seemingty highly amused at my childish 
nonsense. We were so engrossed with each other that 
we had reached the house almost before we realized it, 
when who should meet us at the door but Aunt Lettie, 
with surprise depicted on every feature. But he soon 
sett ed with her. “ Excuse me, madam,I met your niece, 
and she prevailed upon me to accept your hospitality.” 

My aunt was very pale, and I thought her hand trem- 
bled as she gave our new found friend a rather chilling 
reception. What did it mean? Could she be angry with 
me? What harm had I done? But the moments sped on, 
as time will, and in my happiness I did not notice the man- 
ners with which my aunt treated our new guest, conse- 
quently he did not linger long after dinner, and we parted 
in the presence of Aunt Lettie, whose experienced eyes 
saw more than I dreamed of. Although we could not 
say much, still he read that in my eyes which I dared not 
mention before my aunt. 


/ 


From Out The Shadows. 


ir 


After Mr. Lee’s departure, Aunt Lettie asked me to 
follow her to her room, and as I well knew I was to 
receive a lecture, I went rather reluctantly. “ Come here, 
dear,” she said, placing an ottoman beside her, “ I want 
to look into your eyes, while I am talking to you.” Then 
she began: “Years ago, when I was about your age, I 
met one whom I thought was the soul of honor. I gave 
him the wealth of my whole heart. I loved and trusted 
him to the uttermost. I was miserable away from him, 
and he in turn seemed to love me devotedly. My parents 
were much pleased when he asked my hand in marriage, 
and begged me to name an early day when he could 
claim his bride. Business called him to another city, and 
just one week before our marriage, vowing to be true, 
and as soon as possible hasten back to the little girl who 
would soon be the one bright star of his life. Winnie,”' 
said she, and her voice became husky and trembling, “ I 
never saw him again, or any one who resembled him, 
until I saw Mr. Lee to-day in whom I am sure I recog- 
nized his son. I could not, dear,” she said smoothing my 
hair, conscientiously let you encourage his attention, for I 
am not blind, and I could clearly see what would be the 
result of this meeting if allowed to go on. Shun him, 
darling, and some day you will thank me for having 
saved you.” 

“ But, aunt, supposing that this is his son, you must 
not judge the son by the father. And why did you not 


12 


From Out The Shadows, 


ascertain the cause of his silence? He may have had 
some good reason for acting as he did?” 

“No, dear; he was false and fickle. After leaving me 
he met a young lady on the train which was bearing him 
away from me, and very soon I received every little 
token of affection I had ever given him, neatly tied in a 
package, and these words written upon the fly leaf of an 
account book : “ Miss Hildreth, I have changed my 

mind, and do not think that I am in a position to marry 
just now.’ That was every word of explanation I ever 
received. Do you blame me if I wish to save you all 
the sorrow I can ? ” 

“Poor aunt,” I exclaimed, “I pity you; but perhaps 
we shall never see Mr. Lee again.” 

“You are a very innocent child, Winnie, and know 
very little of the ways of the world. They are many, 
and thousands of young girls like you are left broken 
hearted.” 

“Well, aunt,” said I, “I am very sorry, but Fate is 
relentless, and to some she is more lenient than others. I 
have never known a moment’s sorrow in my life.” 

“ Promise me dear, if Mr. Lee should seek you, will 
you come to me at once?” 

“ I will think of it, aunt, and should he care to see 
me again, I will certainly inform you. So I left her, but 
I knew in my heart that I would soon see him again ; but 
poor Aunt Lettie would be older by many a day before 
I would give up my first love.” 


From Out The Shadows. 


13 


‘‘ Oh! my child, when deception enters the heart, it is- 
only the beginning of sorrow. I met him time and again 
in the old pine grove, and many tales of love he poured 
into my willing ears. 

“ I promised secrecy, and when my eighteenth birthday 
should roll around I would surely become his wife. But 
he would not listen to anything of the kind, and so, one 
fatal day, I stole away and took upon myself the vows of 
wifehood. 

“ Oh ! the miserable life I led. It was a constant 
deception, I grew thoughtful and sad, my voice was no> 
longer heard in sweet song, as I was wont to sing, my 
cheeks grew pale and troubled, I started at every sound 
until it became so noticable that my aunt watched me 
closely, and often questioned me in regard to my actions. 
I did not deceive her as much as I thought, but she was 
wise and kept a silent tongue. Days and weeks passed 
on, I grew so restless, my aunt could no longer be 
deceived, and I could not hide my secret from the world. 
My aunt, in her great love for me, had been very indulg- 
ent, and would have almost given her life for mine, soon 
discovered that I was about to become a mother. Judge 
her feelings, that I, who had been raised in almost abso- 
lute seclusion, should have fallen into the hands of some 
villain. Think how I stooped to falsehood and deceit, 
when I tell you that with the a,id of the servants, I man- 
aged to hide my husband so securely, that he passed 
whole months in our house without being discovered. 


^4 


From Out The Shadows, 


My aunt, who had been appointed my guardian, in case 
of my father’s death, could withhold my property until I 
became of age. This clause also provided, that she must 
be sole dictator and have entire control over me until I 
was old enough to do so m^^self. Oh! how she stormed 
and raved, but what could she do? In vain I protested 
that I was a wife, that mine would be a legitimate child, 
she would not listen to reason, but planned to carry me 
away to Europe, where my father’s friends would never 
know the disgrace his daughter had brought upon his 
memory. So, bidding the servants hastily pack our 
clothing, and telling them we were going away for an 
unlimited time, she placed all business into the hands of 
an old and trustworthy friend of the famity, and forced 
me to follow her to a little inland town in France, where 
we were to remain until my child was born. Think of 
it! I had not seen my husband or received one line from 
him. Oh! how I suffered for my disobedience. 

‘‘ Six weeks after reaching France, you, my child, were 
born, and oh, how I longed to place you in your father’s 
arms^, but where was was he.'^ J determined that as soon 
as health and strength returned that I would endeavor to 
find him. I knew he loved me, and I was sure his heart 
was aching, at what he supposed was my treachery. Oh ! 
child. Heaven spare you the bitter grief your mother has 
experienced. 

“You were just two months old, dear, when I deter- 
mined to start upon my journey. I did not stop to think 


From Out The Shadows. 


15 


"where I should go. I only meant to find my nearest and 
Nearest friend, I waited one day until I knew my aunt 
was taking her usual nap. Then, taking you in my arms, 
and with a prayer for guidance, I started forth upon a 
journey that many an old and wiser head would not care 
to undertake. 

“We were ten miles from any railroad town, and not 
daring to take any conveyance, I was obliged to make the 
most of that short journey on foot, carrying you, my 
precious, in my arms. I had relied upon too much 
strength, and in my weakened condition was not fit to 
undertake a journey, especially on foot, and with a child 
in my arms. When I reached Nantes, a lovely town on 
the coast of France, I found the hotel, and, without giving 
any explanation, I called for a room. When morning 
came I was delirious with fever, no one knew me, and, 
of course, my aunt, who had never left her temporary 
home, and kept only one servant, was an entire stranger 
to the people and country. My knowledge of French 
served me well, and when I grew better I felt, let come 
what would. I had found friends in the good landlord 
and his wife. They called me the young Americane, 
and, after hearing my story, part of which I kept con- 
cealed. they offered me any help within their power. 
When I bade these good people farewell it was with 
genuine tears of regret. / 

“I reached New York in safet}^ and went at once to 
-an old friend of my father’s, who received me with open 


i6 


Fro7n Out The Shadows. 


arms, and promised me all the aid I would require. I 
advertised in all the papers and waited patiently day after 
day for some news of your father, but five years passed 
and not one word did I receive in answer to my advertise-^ 
ments. I had not heard a word from Aunt Lettie, and 
undoubtedly she thought me dead. One day, upon my 
return from the newspaper office, Mrs. Gregorie met me 
at the door, her face beaming with smiles, almost carried 
me into the house, and with tears of joy running down 
her cheeks, she told me I had fallen heir to a piece of 
good luck, that Aunt Lettie was dead, and I had entire 
control of my property. Dear Aunt Lettie, I mourned 
her loss, for she had been very kind to me, and filled my 
father’s instructions to the letter. Of course I took 
possession of my property at once, and when I left my 
kind old friend, it was with many promises of an early 
return, but just one week from the time I bade her good- 
bye, she died suddenly of heart disease, and they buried 
her before I had time to look again upon' her dear,, 
motherly face. 

“ Years have passed since then, and you know what a 
comfort you have been to me. I could not live in the old 
home, the past with its sad memories was constantly com- 
ing before me. I could not bear to be reminded of happier 
days. I bought this home, and invested my money in such 
a manner that I am receiving ample benefit to enable us. 
to live and enjoy every comfort. 


From Out The Shadows. 


17 


“ You have given up your lover for your mother, and 
better for me had I done so before the beginning of our 
friendship. You will always find that disobedience brings 
its own reward, and I have suffered well for mine. 
When I am gone, dear, you will not be sorry that you 
devoted a few years of your life in trying to lighten the 
burden that has weighed down my own. I do not know 
that your father is living, but should you meet him, be 
sure and tell him that I have kept the vows made in the 
old woods at Roseneath. Here, dear, is the locket he 
gave me, and I have worn it next to my heart all these long 
years. It contains his face and a lock of his hair. Some 
day, no one knows, you may meet him, although I do not 
think he is living; then give him this, but not until I am 
done with life. Kiss me, dear, and leave me with my 
thoughts, for the story of my life has brought back 
memories that have lain dormant for years. Throwing 
her arms around her mother’s neck, Kittie sobbed as, 
though her heart would break. Dear, dear mother, she 
cried, how thankful I am that I never left you. But she was 
talking to an inanimate form, for her mother had fainted 
and lay unconscious of her sweet sympathy. The story 
had been too much for her in her weakened condition. 
The long tension of nerve had given away, and for a few 
moments all was forgotten. Restoratives were applied, 
and the gentle girl soon realized that reason once more 
held its way. 


i8 


From Out Ihe Shadows. 


CHAPTER III. . 

A few days after hearing her mother’s story Kittie was 
sitting alone and trying in vain to banish all sadness from 
her heart. “Oh!” she thought, “if I were only certain 
that my father still lives, I would strain every nerve; I 
would not rest night or day until I found him. Her med- 
itations were interrupted by a call from the gentleman of 
whom Madge Arleigh had written to Eddie Sprague. 
How comfortable the dear cottage where love reigned 
supreme. Let us describe Kittie Lee, for no doubt by 
this time the reader is anxious for a description of so 
sweet and gentle a daughter. She is of medium height, 
her hair like spun silk of a peculiar shade of gold, a 
shade very rarely seen, except in pictures. Her com- 
plexion was, pure and soft as an infant’s. Her eyes — here 
lay her beauty — one moment you could call them blue, 
the next a purple pansy, and were you watching her 
closely, you would say they varied in color at each turn 
of her perfect head, soft with a dreamy sweetness that 
held one entranced, as it were, in a dream. Many a 
heart had longed for one tender glance from those sweet 
eyes. But her life was wrapped up in her mother’s, and 
since hearing the story of her sad life she had devoted 
herself more and more to her comfort. 

“ How very glad we are to see you Mr. Stetson. 
Mother is feeling some brighter to-day, and your visit is 


From Out Ihe Shadows, 19 

very opportune, for we were speaking of you this morn- 
ing.” 

“ Do not attempt to rise, Mrs. Lee,” said the thought- 
ful visitor as Kittie ushered them into their pleasant sit- 
ting room, and placing a chair beside the couch upon 
which she now passed the greater part of her days. He 
spoke in very cheerful tones, and tried in every way to 
bring sunshine to the lonely woman. “ I have a surprise 
in store for you, a most pleasant surprise, conceded by 
your dutiful daughter. I do not wish to raise false 
hopes. But we are trying to discover the whereabouts 
of a certain friend of yours.” 

‘‘ I understand you perfectly, Mr. Stetson,” said the 
sad woman, “ and I appreciate your kindness, but I 
neither spared time or money in the fruitless search I 
made years ago. Therefore, I have given up all hopes 
of ever seeing him again.” 

“ Dear mother,” said Kittie, kneeling beside the couch 
and taking her almost transparent hand in hers, “ do not 
‘dispair. Fate is sometimes relenting. Surely our Father 
above is merciful, and your prayers I am sure have not 
been in vain. You must be hopeful, and we will yet dis- 
cover some clue by which we can hear of my dear 
father.” ^ 

“My precious daughter,” said the invalid sadly, “I 
only hope it is true. But too many years have passed 
in vain searching. I am sure he has died in some foreign 
country; perhaps my seeming perfidy has broken his 


20 


From Out The Shadows, 


heart and wrecked his life, who knows? ” Her tones 
were very sad, her eyes full of unshed tears, as she 
clasped her noble daughter to her heart. 

Mr. Stetson’s heart was touched by the beautiful pic- 
ture before him — a young and noble girl kneeling beside 
an invalid mother, trying in soothing tones to raise hopes 
with which to brighten a life now almost gone 'out of 
that frail body. His feelings overcame him, and walking 
to the window, tried to conceal his emotion. 

“ Mr. Stetson, will you explain to mother what reasons 
you have for believing that you are on the right trail to 
.discover my father ? ” 

“ Certainly. I have a friend in California, with whom 
I have been corresponding; and since Kittie and I have 
worked together I wrote him at her dictation to use every 
effort to discover, if possible, any one bearing the name 
William Lee. He has worked untiringly, and finds that 
a gentleman spent the winter, some years ago, in Sacra- 
mento, who was employed in a manufacturing business 
in New York, and as soon as he discovers anything of 
the least importance, he will write me at once.” 

“ Oh ! ” pray heaven it may be true. I shall be con- 
tented to die; if I can only look upon his face once 
more. Oh ! Mr. Stetson,” she cried, “ you do not know 
the cravings of a heart. I cannot tell you how I have 
suffered. I have been wakened from dreams and could 
not realize but that he stood before me. Oh ! vain hope, 
vain hope; no, no, he will never come to me in this life. 


From Out The Shadows. 


21 


and my only prayer now is, that we shall meet again in 
another, brighter world.” 

“ Mrs. Lee, dear friend, you seem very near to me in 
your helplessness, and since I have known the unhappy 
-circumstances by which you are surrounded, I sympa- 
thize deeply with both of you, and have endeavored by 
all possible means to aid you, and shall continue to do so, 
until I am convinced that there is no further use in 
trying.” 

“ You are more than kind, Mr. Stetson, and you shall 
some day receive a just reward.” 

“ Believe me, Mrs. Lee,” said he truthfully, “ I do not 
ask any reward, the only kindness I crave is a word of 
encouragement from your daughter, for you must cer- 
tainly have seen, ere this, that I have learned to love the 
gentle girl, who seems to have forgotten self, in her love 
for her mother.” 

“Oh! Mr. Stetson,” exclaimed Kittie, rising to her 
feet, and while tears of genuine regret filled her eyes, “I 
am very sorry to think that I am the cause of raising 
such hopes in the breast of so noble and worthy a man 
.as you. I have no time for love, my life belongs to my 
mother, she has suffered enough, and if by any effort of 
mine, I can bring sunshine into her life, I assure you, I 
shall do my best to lift every cloud from her pathway.” 

“ I value your friendship, Mr. Stetson, and thank you 
ior the compliment you have paid me, for I consider the 


22 From Out The Shadows. 

/ 

love of a true and noble man something which makes life 
worth living.” 

“ Never mind, Miss Kittie, we will postpone this sub- 
ject for some other time; I shall certainly consider my- 
self a welcome guest, and I will use every effort to aid 
you in your noble undertaking. Think of me as a bro- 
ther, I shall live in hopes that some day perhaps we shall 
arrive at a better understanding. Now, I am going, and 
I hope we will meet again soon with hopes realized and 
our efforts crowned with success. Good bye, dear Mrs. 
Lee,” said he, in cheerful tones. “ Keep up a brave 
heart. Heaven is merciful, and your prayers have not 
been in vain. God bless you Kittie, rely on me, and 
unless health and strength fail me, I am with you in your 
good undertaking and noble work.” 

“ Mother, dear,” said Kittie, after Mr. Stetson’s depart- 
ure, ‘‘ we are not alone in the world, and I am sure that 
we have found a good friend. God has not forsaken us,, 
and I can but feel that we are indeed blest; I do believe 
that Mr. Stetson’s visit has done you a world of good 
really, mother, you have a fine color in your cheeks. 
Now, lie down and take a good rest, while I go and; 
attend to my duties.” So arranging her pillows so she* 
would be comfortable as possible, and kissing her on both 
cheeks, she went tripping out as happily as though noth- 
ing had ever occurred to bring sorrow to her young and. 


J^rom Out The Shadows, 


23 


trusting heart. But, alas, we are all mortals, and into 
each life some rain must fall. 

* ^ % 

On this bright September morning, the bells of one of 
of the many churches of D — — , are ringing out their 
merriest chimes, and Eddie Sprague and Madge Arleigh 
are to take upon themselves the vows that will bind them 
together for life. All nature seems smiling at the great 
event, and little knots of friends were gathered here and 
there, discussing the whys and wherefores of this mar- 
riage. Many wondered at the change of brides, and 
censured him in the choice of wives. Poor Kittie, she had 
heard very little of Madge in the past few months, and 
had been too proud to enquire into any particulars con- 
• cerning her. affairs. No one knew the many sleepless 
nights of heartache she had endured. Her mother had 
heard nothing, for very few - visitors were seen at the 
cottage, and Kittie, in her thoughtfulness had requested 
that her mother should know nothing of outside affairs. 
So, when the music of the bells reached the invalid’s ears, 
she enquired of Kittie what it meant. “ Their rings are 
sounds of joy and happiness.” 

“ Yes, mother,” said the sacrificing daughter, ‘‘ they 
are Madge Arleigh’s wedding bells.” 

“ And who is the happy man, dear?” 

“ I believe he is an old friend of hers,” said Kittie, with 
averted face, for she dared not show the flush that 


24 From Out The Shadows, 

mounted to her cheeks. “ I hope,” she added, “that she 
will be happ3r. There was a rising sadness in her voice, 
and tears of regret were forced back, as memories of 
happy hours came rushing over her heart, and on some 
pretext of duty, she left the room, ere her mother could 
discover any unusual emotion. Going to her chamber 
and kneeling down beside a couch of spotless white, she 
poured out a prayer fpr strength tO' overcome the deep 
love which now would be a sin to cherish. “ Oh, 
Father,” she prayed, “teach me my dut}^ to myself and 
others, pluck from my heart every feeling of resentment, 
or hate, let me forget this love I have cherished so many 
years, let me feel that all is for the best; Thy will, not 
mine be done.” Then bathing her eyes, she determined 
to never again let one regret for Eddie Sprague sadden 
her life or mar her future prospects. Noble girl, it had 
cost her many a struggle to give up her lover to her 
treacherous friend. To banish forever the bright dreams 
of her short life. But duty’s call was urgent, and she 
dared not disobey its dictates. Especially when the dear 
mother, of whose very life she was a part, looked to her 
for consolation and love. 

Let us go back a little in our sto'r}^, and listen to an 
interview between Kittie Lee and Eddie Sprague. 
Through the wiles and trickery of Madge, who did not 
scruple to do a mean act, or betray a friend in any man- 
ner whatever, these two who had known and loved each 


From Out The Shadows. 


25 

other from childhood, were now separated as far apart as 
though rivers rolled between them. 

“ I never thought, Kittie,” said Eddie, “that you under- 
stood the meaning of the word falsehood. I have always 
held you in such high esteem that I deemed you little less 
than an angel. When I left you, to seek new fields of 
labor, I felt all confidence in your promises, and your love 
was an incentive to my ambition. I felt that no sacrifice 
was too great to make for you. Your face was before 
me everywhere, and when, at times, I felt dull and dis- 
couraged your sweet presence seemed to cheer and lead 
me on, through every turn of fate, until I only lived to 
hasten the day when I could clasp you to my heart and 
call you mine. That day is gone, and I have learned by 
the bitter lesson of experience, that a man who trusts his 
life in the hands of a woman, is weaker than she who 
betrays him.” 

“ Eddie,” said Kittie, with blanched face, “ I do not 
blame you for speaking to me in this manner. I have 
nothing whatever to say, only this: You are laboring 
under a false idea, you have trusted to those who have 
spoken falsely of me. True, Mr. Stetson has frequently 
called upon us, I say us, because he came to see mother 
and me, through a notice I inserted in the papers, in 
which I tried — for my mother’s sake — to discover the 
whereabouts of my father. I do not care to explain any 
further, but the day will surely come when you will dis- 
cover your mistake. I do not know what enemy I have 


26 


From Out The Shadows. 


who would willingly do me so great an injury. I know I 
am not worthy of you, therefore, it is best to part. My 
mother requires all my attention, and being certain now, 
that her days are numbered, I would not lose one hour 
of her society for all the happiness in the world. She it 
was who guided my footsteps when I was young and 
helpless, who cherished me in sickness and health, and,, 
with her loving kindness, kept me from death’s door.. 
When she is gone from me I shall be alone in the world, 
and I don’t know what the future holds, but whatever is- 
in store for md, I shall try to be brave and bear the good 
and bad alike.” 

Brave Kitty, how well she had learned to school her 
feelings. Her face was very pale, and though her lips 
quivered, and her heart breaking, she remakted as firm 
as marble. 

Taking from her finger, a little golden circle, which 
had bound two loving hearts together, she placed it in his 
hand, and with eyes full of unshed tears, held his hand 
for a moment, and unable longer to control her feelings 
turned away and sought the privacy of her chamber. 
What passed there the searcher of hearts alone can telL 


From Out The Shadows, 


27 


CHAPTER IV. 

“ Madge, I do not approve of your going out so much,”^ 
said Eddie Sprague to his wife. “ It does not look well, 
besides, I am afraid Josette is not well, she seems quite 
feverish, and I think I shall be obliged to call in Dr. 
Hudson.” 

“ Oh, pshaw! .Eddie you are so very old rfiaidish. The 
child has perhaps taken a little cold, which will pass away 
by morning. Do get over your odd whims.” 

“ Very well, madam, I will attend to the child, and you, 
its mother, go to your amusements, laugh, dance, enjoy 
yourself, while she lies rolling and tossing in fever.” Thus 
spake the husband of three short years to as frivolous a 
woman as the world ever looked upon. 

Oh! what a mistake he had made. How often he com- 
pared her to sweet Kittie Lee, the gentle ministering 
angel, but regrets are vain. He must now give his entire 
attention to the dear child sent to comfort him, and fill 
the void in his heart, made desolate by the loss of his first 
and only love. One year after marriage Mrs. Sprague 
began to show her true nature. Her husband, a home- 
loving and affectionate man soon learned that he must 
look to other sources for happiness. That his wife had no 
heart, he well knew before marriage, and how could he 
expect to teach her, that which to an affectionate husband 
surpasses all else — a true and loving wife. 


28 


From Out The Shadows. 


Day after day he entered that desolate home. No white 
arms were thrown around his neck, no sweet kiss to bid 
him welcome, after weary plodding through tangled law- 
suits. No musical voice to make sweet sounds in his 
tired ears. Only an empty vacancy, where should stand 
the one nearest and dearest to man. 

And where was she? The wife from whom he should 
have expected so much, but received so little. In vain 
you may search for her everywhere in that beautiful 
home, where only hirelings were left to minister to the 
wants and comforts of the husband. 

Birds were singing in gilded cages, and at one glance 
one could see that no money had been spared to make 
this a home of elegance and comfort. 

Where was she? She was seeking pleasure in the out- 
side world. Living and reveling in the smiles of other 
men; men whose characters were of the lightest, and who 
were shunned by both males and females of respect- 
ability. 

And yet the husband never complained. He had no 
one to blame, he knew just what kind of a woman he was 
taking to his home and heart, knew she was weak of 
heart, and weak of nature and soon wearied of him, as a 
child would weary of a toy. Sad, indeed, to contemplate, 
and yet society is filled with just such women, who are 
filling divorce courts, and making profligate husbands. 

Poor little Josette. When Dr. Hudson took her lit- 
.tle feverish hand in his, he wondered at the absence of 


From Out The Shadows. 


29 

the mother, but prudence warned him to keep a silent 
tongue. 

After making a few in(^uiries, and leaving instructions 
for medicine, he left telling the father he feared his child 
had scarlet fever. Hour after hour, the lone watcher sat 
and nursed his little one, who, in her delirium, called for 
“mamma,” but mamma was whirling in the giddy dance 
with no thought of the little sufferer, so near death’s 
door. After hours of waiting and listening for her foot- 
steps, Eddie at last heard her reproving the servant, who 
had fallen asleep while waiting her return, in order to 
fasten up the house. He thought she would surely come 
in and pass the remainder of the night in caring for the 
sick child. But no, she merely looked in, and glancing 
carelessly at her, passed on with a yawn, and “ take 
good care of her, Eddie, I am so tired. I danced nearly 
every set, and I must have some rest, as I expect to dine 
with the New York lion, Mr. Haskell, to-morrow, so 
good night,” and closing the door, passed on to the 
chamber, to dream away the few remaining hours of the 
night. 

Morning came, and with it no comfort to the weary 
man who watched alone beside the couch of his little one. 
At an early hour kind Dr. Hudson stood beside the 
couch of his patient, and shaking his head omniously, 
said, “ Mr. Sprague, I can do no more for your child. 
She has contracted a severe cold, and I fear has been 


30 


From Out The Shadows. 


neglected, until it is too late. She may linger through 
the day, but no power on earth can save her.” 

Poor Eddie, to lose his only comfort would certainly 
blight what life was left in him. How could he live 
without her? She lingered no longer than they supposed, 
and just when the stars came peeping out at night-fall, 
her sweet life went out, while she was clasped in her 
father’s arms, and her pure lips pressed against his own. 

Oh, God!” he groaned, ‘‘ this is hard to bear. My only 
comfort, my only happiness. How shall I pass the long 
hours without you? ” Closing her dear little eyes with 
his own hand, he left her to othtjrs to prepare her for her 
long home. 

When Madge was told that her child was no more, she 
shed a few tears, and then ordered the carriage to take 
her to Madame Deselles to order something in mourning 
that would be becoming to her dark beauty, for Madge 
Sprague was a beauty, with eyes of midnight blackness, 
and a complexion of purest olive. 

So they buried their little one, and Eddie had one more 
sorrow added to his already scorched and bleeding heart. 
For a time Madge seemed quite sad, but she soon out- 
grew her grief, and mingled in society the same as 
though no dear little child of hers was sleeping under- 
neath the sod, in the beautiful home of the dead. 

Not so, the father. His grief was silent and lasting. 
Many and many an hour he has passed alone with his 


From Out The Shadows, 


31 


sorrow, with no comfort save the hope that some day he 
'would meet her in another world to come. 


CHAPTER V. 

“ Kittie,” said Mrs. Lee, one morning, ‘‘ I had a very 
peculiar dream last night, and it seems so real that I can 
scarcely persuade myself that it was a dream. It seemed 
to me that I was back again in my old home; that Aunt 
Lettie was living, and we were all seated in the parlor, 
and I was reading aloud to my father, when the door 
opened and your father entered, but, oh, so changed. 
His hands were manacled with heavy chains, and had 
^reat ridges of flesh around his wrists. His hair was 
almost white, his form bent, and he seemed to have aged 
within a few hours. He told us he had been placed in 
prison by the swearing of a false friend, and had been 
serving a term of years for forgery. My feelings over- 
came me so that I wakened at once, and my dream has 
left such an impression upon my mind that I cannot drive 
it away.” 

“Dear mother,” said the sympathetic girl, throwing 
her arms around her mother’s neck, “do not, for one 
moment, let that dream trouble you. You say you are 
positive that father is dead. Then why allow a foolish 
-dream to disturb your mind? We have the realities of 


32 From Out The Shadows. 

life to contend with, therefore, let us lay aside that which 
we know to be the fabrications of a tired brain.” 

“Yes, dear, I know all that, but I do not feel as strong^ 
to-day as usual, and I have apprehensions of a day soon 
to come when you and I must part.” 

“No, no, mother,” said Kittie, holding her mother still 
close to her heart, and forcing back her own grief, “ we 
have many happy years to live together yet, and I believe 
in my heart that my dear father will soon come back to 
us and v/e shall be happy, happier than we have ever 
been before. I shall never leave you. No one can ever 
fill your place in my heart.” 

“ Dear child, you do not know what you are saying. 
Do not think you can deceive your mother. You are 
but human, and love will surely find its way in your 
heart. I do not like to mention the subject that lies too 
near your heart. But since you do not care to speak of 
Eddie Sprague, I do not care to force anything fjrom you 
in regard to your broken faith with him. And I know 
you have kept all knowledge of your troubles to your- 
self. You Should have come to me in the beginning.” 

“ I am well aware, dear mother, that I should have 
gone to you, but I did not wish to annoy you with a sim- 
ple love affair, when your heart was filled with more 
important duties than advising a young girl concerning a 
lover, who would not listen to reason. I do not care to 
discuss this subject, mother, therefore, let us drop it at 
once.” 


Fro7n Out The Shadows. 


33 


“ But, my child, have you no confidence in me? What 
advice could I give you that would be detrimental to your 
happiness?” 

“ None, mother. But the wound in my heart is heal- 
ing over, and I would not, for anything, open it again. I 
did love Eddie, and do still, to a certain extent; but he is 
the husband of another now, and I have no right to 
think of him, except as the husband of Madge Arleigh.” 

“Madge Arleigh! Can it be possible that he has 
married that giddy, frivolous girl? Why did you not tell 
me?” 

“ I never told you because the subject was distasteful 
to me then, and I did not care to worry you. , You knew 
the relations between Eddie and me, and I knew you 
would pity and sympathise *with me, therefore I thought 
it best to keep it to myself, and not add any more sorrow 
to your already over-burdened heart.” 

“Ah! my child. Few mothers have been blest with 
such a child. How selfish I hav^e been in nursing my 
own sorrow, not to have taken a deeper interest in yours. 
But, dear, you did not tell me who Madge had married. 
You merely told me the bells were ringing for her bri- 
dal. How little I dreamed that your heart was breaking 
at the sound of those bells.” 

“ Let it pass, mother, I have learned to look calmly 
upon the matter, and should I to-day meet them both^ I 
could smile and wish them joy without one quiver of my 
heart strings. I have heard that a dear little child has 


34 


From Out The Shadows. 


been born to them. Oh! how I should love to see it. 
I think it would be very dear to me.” 

“ Undoubtedly, my child, with your forgiving disposi- 
tion. You can almost forget yourself in giving happi- 
ness to others. Oh, Kittie, if the world were full of just 
such as you, there would be fewer divorce cases, and 
more happy homes. My child, tell me this much, who 
was to blame in your affair? ” 

“ Mother, I will take the blame. Had I been more 
attentive to my lover I could have been his wife. Now 
let us drop this subject forever. I think I have some 
cares to look after, and I will leave you alone with your 
thoughts. Only this; do not let them dwell upon Madge 
or Eddie with bitterness or blame.” 

“ Very well, my child, but tell me, have you heard 
from Mr. Stetson?” 

“ I received a letter last week, and he tells me to keep 
up hope, that the day is very near at hand when your 
dear mother shall find your fondest hppes realized, and be 
as well again as ever, for I am sure happiness is the best 
physician in the world.” 


From Out The Shadows, 


35 


CHAPTER VI. 

In a lone and narrow cell at Sing Sing sits a solitary 
occupant, a man who seemingly has passed the prime of 
life. His head is bowed in grief, and memory is busy 
with his thoughts. “ Oh, Winnie,” he groans, “ why did 
you leave me? ” I cannot believe that you wilfully aban- 
doned me. I am sure there has been some plot to rob 
■me of my wife and liberty. The world is full of villains 
who are enjoying the -good of life, while many an in- 
nocent man is working out an unjust sentence. I am not 
guilty, God knows, and if I live to once more breathe the 
•air of freedom, I shall surely bring the rascal to justice 
who put me here — an innocent man. At times my feel- 
ings overcome me, when I think that somewhere in this 
world I have a wife and child, and that wife, if still liv- 
ing, still loves me, and mourns my absence. My child 
has grown to maturity, and if alive, surely longs for its 
father.” Oh ! how sad to the lone prisoner is a life of 
solitude. The hours are so long, the days seem like 
weeks, time moves slowly on, and many a brave heart 
breaks under its heavy weight of misery. Thus we 
find William Lee, the father of Kittie, and the hus- 
band for which her mother has mourned so many years. 
How little they know that he is confined in a prison cell, 
the dear husband and father for whom they are seeking 
so vigorously, working out a term of years for forging 


36 From Old The Shadows. 

notes to the amount of thousands of dollars. And why 
is he thus confined? Ah!, reader, he was placed there 
through the treachery of friends, in whom he had implicit 
confidence. He was one of several who labored together 
day after day in a large manufacturing firm in New 
York, and was confidential clerk and business manager 
in a business in which he entered at the age of twelve 
years, and was promoted until his employers had perfect 
confidence in his ability and honesty. He was trusted 
with large amounts of money, and no one questioned his 
honesty and integrity. A man far above reproach, wha 
scorned to do an act of which he would be ashamed. No 
one knew this better than Jacob Stills, and he had grown! 
jealous of William, because he felt that his position 
should be more important, for he had labored in that 
office before William Lee came. He determined to re- 
venge himself for some offense, of which he believed 
William of being guilty of reporting some misconduct 
that had been reported to the head of the firm. So, set- 
ting his wits to work, he determined to ruin him, if possi- 
ble. He knew that William reposed great confidence in 
him, and many times gave him knowledge of the busi- 
ness of which others were ignorant. At various times 
the firm missed money, but always credited it to some 
carelessness and so said nothing. But one day a note 
was forged, and the handwriting was none other than 
William Lee’s. They worked quietly, and were very 
careful to keep their movements hidden as much as possi- 


From Out The Shadows. 


37 


ble. Circumstances pointed very strongly to William’s 
guilt, and not until they were fully satisfied that he was 
the perpetrator of the crime was he imprisoned and tried 
for forgery. He was found guilty and sentenced to Sing 
-Sing for a long term of years, and his employers who 
were thorough business men, felt it their duty to punish 
a guilty man, even though he were their brother. “Wil- 
liam,” said Mr. Bartlett, the head of the firm, when he 
took leave of him, “ 3^ou do not know with what sorrow 
I part with you under these unpleasant circumstances. 
You have been my tried and trusted servant from boy- 
Jiood, and although you are proven guilty, yet something 
tells me that all will yet be well. You are the last man 
in my employ that I would doubt for one moment, but 
the evidence against you is too strong to allow any doubt. 
If you are guilty, you should be made to suffer to the 
fullest extent of the law. But if you are innocent, God 
will help you, and you will yet be cleared, as I think you 
are.” Some how Mr. Bartlett did not like Jacob Stills, 
but he had been with them many years, and so offered 
him the vacancy made by William Lee. .Years have 
passed since that day, and the solitary prisoner has grown 
aged and grey; time has left its impress on form and 
brow, and one, to look at him, would scarcely believe 
that he was the same* handsome boy who won sweet 
Winnie Hildreth’s love in the old pine grove so many 
years ago. 


38 


From Out The Shadows, 


CHAPTER VII. 

“ Mother,” said Kittie one day when they were seated 
alone, “ Eddie Sprague has returned, and rumor has it 
that Madge has eloped with some gay young man, and 
Eddie has given up his law practice and come home to 
mend his broken heart. Poor boy, how he suffered. 
We must do all we can to cheer him and help him forget 
his troubles. I never thought that Madge was quite so 
bad. I knew she was thoughtless and fond of gaiety, 
but I never dreamed she would do anything to bring dis- 
grace upon herself and husband. How many, many 
times I have talked with her, and tried to reason with her, 
but to no purpose. Her mind is set upon enjoyment, 
and she will not listen to anyone. Why is t that women 
will not try to make home pleasant, make it a paradise 
on earth? It is very easy to do, and if a man has the 
least love in his nature he cannot fail to see that it is the 
dearest spot to him.” 

Kittie was very willing to cover up the faults of others 
and very few would shield an enemy as she would. But 
resehtment never found an abiding place in her heart. 
What a lovely picture she made this warm August after- 
noon, clad in a soft, white muslin dress, with sprays of 
flowers in her hair and belt. She was a lovely flower 
herself, and loved their perfume. Her hair, a most pecu- 
liar shade of gold, was soft as silk, and waved above a. 


From Out The Shadows. 


39 


brow whose whiteness was so transparent that one could 
almost see the blood coursing through the blue veins. 
Her eyes, a soft limpid blue, beamed with love and glad- 
ness. She was sitting with her mother, engaged in some 
light needle work, in their cool and comfortable sitting 
room, whither she had moved the invalid’s chair, when 
a gentle ring at the door bell startled them both, and 
in a moment Mr. Stetson made his appearance, with 
joy depicted in every feature. Kittie saw that some 
good news awaited them, and not wishing to disturb her 
mother, she invited him out in the arbor, with an excuse 
of showing him some lovely flowers just budding into 
bloom. 

“ Dear Kittie,” said he, no longer able to keep the 
news to himself, “ I have at last traced your father to 
New York.” 

“ Oh!” cried the happy girl, clasping her hands in joy, 
“ how glad I am. But go on, tell me quick.” 

“ My partner lost trace of him, or at least the man who 
bore his name, who undoubtedly is the person who had 
been sent to prison for forgery.” 

“ That certainly is not my father. Still, were I in your 
place, I would look even there for him. We do not know 
what may have happened. Although I am sure my 
father was a man of honor, yet we cannot let a single 
clue escape us whereby we can possibly find him. 
Would it not be well to visit the prison and get a descrip- 


40 


From Out The Shadows. 


tion of the man bearing his name? We do not know 
what fate may do, or have done.” 

“You have a very wise little head, Kittie, and I cannot 
possibly see the harm in doing as you suggest. I will 
certainly go at once. In the meantime, do not breathe 
one word of the man in prison to your mother.” 

“ Indeed, Mr. Stetson, I will not. I have tried every 
means in my power to keep all unpleasantness from my 
mother, and I have so succeeded that no news of an 
unpleasant nature has ever reached her ears.” 

“ Supposing I find him there, Kittie? 

“ There, sir,” said the happy girl in quick and anxious 
tones. “We shall procure his release, if there is any 
way possible; but we shall be obliged to work very 
quietly.” 

“ That we shall, Kittie; and there is another question, 
little girl, that I would like to ask you. If success 
crowns our efforts, will you not promise to give me some 
encouragement? some hope for the future?” 

“ I do not wish to raise false hopes, or give any encour- 
agement of happiness in any way that would not be in 
my power to grant. I am young yet, Mr. Stetson, and 
do not care to bind myself to any vow. We are uncer- 
tain as to the future, and you know this is no time to in- 
dulge in sentiment. But come, I know you are hungry, 
at least you look so, and if you will stop to tea with us 
we shall be only too glad to entertain you. Come,” said 
she playfully, “ I will lead the way, and mother shall 


From Old The Shadows. 41 

entertain you while I go and attend the supper. You 
know we only keep one servant, therefore I am kept quite 
husy looking after everything.” 

How he loved the sweet, fragile flower who looked 
more like a sensitive plant than any other he could com- 
pare her to. Leaving him with the invalid, Kittie’s deft 
fingers soon prepared a most tempting looking meal, with 
its cloth of snowy whiteness, and a bouquet of fragranc 
flowers filling the room with their sweetness. 

Mr. Stetson was one of those easy personages, who 
make themselves at home wherever they chance to be, 
and a happier trio than that which surrounded that table 
was hard to find. The invalid’s chair had been drawn by 
the cheerful guest, and flowers placed where she could 
inhale their fragrance, and enjoy their beauty. Never, 
thought he, had he ever seen a fairer form than she who 
did the honors of the table, and he determined, if possible, 
to win the precious gem, to reign queen over his heart 
^nd home. 

He well knew that so dutiful a daughter would make 
a dutiful wife. Having seen so much of society belles, 
who do not amount to anything beyond the ball room, 
that he long before concluded, that when he settled down, 
and wished to marry, he would seek a wife whose time 
was not all taken up with dress and fashion. He did not 
know that he must contend with a love that had been 
growing for years, he thought her heart untouched by 


From Out The Shadows. 


42 

the tender passion, and would, therefore, be easier to 
win. 

What of Madge Sprague, the faithless wife? One year 
after the death of her child we find her the same giddy,, 
frivolous girl she was at her marriage. Death had no 
terror for her, she did not miss the sweet little life gone 
on forever, nothing came between her and happiness. 
“Better,” so she said, “the child was always a puny 
thing, and had she lived, would have been a great cause 
for anxiety, and I don’t care for children in the least, and 
cannot be troubled with them. If Eddie cares to mourn 
her loss, let him. The child clung to him and did not 
seem to care for me.” Thus the heartless mother con- 
soled herself. Whenever she found any articles of cloth- 
ing, or little toys, belonging to the dead child, she did not, 
like any human mother, shed tears of regret over them,, 
she 'merely reproved the house-keeper for letting them 
lie around. “I am astonished, Mrs. Haws,” she said one 
day, “that you have not given these clothes to some 
needy person, instead of keeping them for moths to eat.”' 
Mrs. Haws was one of the kind, motherly women, who 
had lost her own little ones, and having been warmly 
attached to the poor neglected child, she did not care to 
dispose of the few half-worn toys, and so kept them, feel- 
ing that, perhaps, they would be sacred in the mother’s 
eyes, but she was mistaken. Gathering them all together 
she determined to place them where the father would 
discover them without knowing who placed them in his 


From Out The Shadows. 


43 - 


way, and thus avoid becoming a witness to* his grief. For 
he loved the sweet blossom who had been so suddenly 
transplanted to the garden above. 

Madge had been very gay this winter, she went more 
than ever into society, and gossiping tongues soon began 
to whisper strange stories concerning her, and a brainless 
fop, who had more money than honor, and when he was- 
warned against a husband, whose life had been made 
miserable by the shameless woman, he only laughed and 
snapped his fingers at the warning, and sneeringly said, 
“ Might as well be me as any other man,” and he was- 
right. 

Wherever Madge went her lover went too, until many 
ladies became ashamed of having their names spoken of; 
in connection with her’s. Although they tolerated her 
for the sake of her noble husband. Society cares very 
little so long as appearances are kept up, and Madge out- 
shown them all in dress and beauty. Her manner was- 
well suited to en1?ertain the silly moths who gathered 
around her, and no gathering of the light and frivolous* 
was complete without her. 

Madge was growing wreckless and plunged into every- 
thing until older and wiser heads predicted a terrible end- 
ing to it all. 

All this time the unsuspecting husband paid no atten- 
tion, so deeply was he engrossed in law business. He 
did not hear the many idle stories going around about his- 
wife and her lover. No one dared warn him of the- 


44 


From Out The Shadows. 


serpent entering his home, and all unconscious of the 
great cloud soon to break upon him, he waded through 
the muddy waters of business, and paid no attention to 
other matters. 

It came one day, when he had been absent in a neigh- 
boring city, attending to some complicated suit, which he 
had won with great laurels. Arriving home late at night 
he did not disturb the servants, but, letting himself in with 
the latch-key, he at once sought his lonely chamber, and 
endeavored to coax his weary eye-lids into sleep. In vain. 
He could not banish from his mind the dear little child, 
who had been the only one to welcome him home after an 
absence of days. He had been in the habit (during her 
little life) of going to her crib, and kissing her unconscious 
lips, but now no such pleasure awaited him. He retired 
to his lonely couch only to pass the long hours in sleep- 
lessness. The morning sun was shining brightly when he 
descended to breakfast, and scarcely noticing the servant 
who handed him a letter, he took his seat in silence and 
mechanicly opened the envelope. The cold sweet began 
to start in great beads upon his forehead. His face 
became very pale, his hands. trembled, and unconsciously 
he exclaimed in agonizing tones, “ My God ! How blind I 
have been. Have I no friends to have warned me of this?” 
And rising from the table his first thoughts were to keep 
all knowledge possible from the servants. He repaird at 
once to the privacy of his library, there alone to peruse 
the fatal letter. It ran thus: 


From Out The Shadows. 


45 


Dear Eddie: 

You will undoubtedly be surprised to learn that I have 
gone out of your life forever. We are not suited .to each 
other, therefore, we are better apart. Hoping you will 
not mourn my absence. I sign myself 

Yours, guilty, 

Madge. 

“ Poor misguided girl,” he cried. “ Where have you 
gone? Surely not back to your home. I will not make 
any stir in the matter, as the least said the sooner men- 
ded.” But, quietly selecting some papers, he called Mrs. 
Haws, the housekeeper, and bidding her keep silence, told 
her he was going on a short journey, and to hurriedly 
pack his portmanteau, adding that his wife had gone 
away for some time and he did not know when she should 
return. 

“Yes, sir,” said Mrs. Haws, “and if you will not think 
me interfering with your private affairs, I will give you 
some valuable information.” 

“ Not at all, my good woman,” said the distracted 
man. 

“ Well, sir, I did not like the way things were going 
on, and thought several times to speak to you, but, being 
only your servant, I dared not approach you with tales of 
your wife. I did not like the appearance of a gentleman 
who was very attentive to your wife. He has passed 
hour after hour in your house, and always managed to get 


46 


From Otit The Shadows. 


away before you came. I really think, sir, she has gone 
with him 

“ God forbid,” said the wretched man, grasping a chair 
ior support, and while the tears rolled down his cheeks, 
he begged her not to tell the servants. 

■“ She told me,” continued the woman, “that she did not 
expect to return to this house, and so took all her clothing 
and jewels. I remonstrated with her, but she recalled to 
me my position as a menial, what could I do? but keep 
my thoughts to myself and await your return to tell you 
all. Do not give way to sorrow, sir, all may yet be well, 
and we may be laboring under a great mistake.” 

“ Thank you, Mrs. Haws, I know your sympathy is 
genuine, and I appreciate your interest in my behalf, but 
she is my wife, and will be, until the law frees her from 
me. I must endeavor to find her and place her in a posi- 
tion where she will not want. I will leave all necessary 
funds with Mr. Dodge for the house, and in the meantime 
just let matters go on as they are.' If I hear anything 
important he will inform you.” Then bidding her to keep 
an eye to everything he hurridly left the house. 

Going directly to his office, he gave Mr. Dodge, his 
partner, all necessary information and started on his fruit- 
less journey. 

After packing her clothing and valuables, and directing 
where they were to be sent, Madge called for a coupe, 
and was rapidly driven to the depot, where a gentleman 


From Out The Shadows. 


47 


in traveling custom awaited her, and, after attending to 
her baggage, in a nervous manner, they entered the train 
and were soon whirled on towards destruction. Poor 
girl! How little she knew what awaited her. No one 
to look upon her would ever dream that she was leaving 
the shelter of a beautiful home. She did not seem in the 
least disconcerted, far from it, she was perfectly happy 
and did not realize that she was going to her own destruc- 
tion.^ Everyone gazed in admiration on the beautiful 
^iren, and did not blame the gentleman who watched her 
every movement. She felt no remorse of conscience, or 
if she did, she concealed it most effectually. 

Time passed on, Madge and her lover became discon- 
tented with each other, quarrels were frequent, she up- 
braided him, and taunted him, with being the cause of her 
leaving her home, until they separated, and she ,was 
obliged to seek employment wherever, she could find it. 

Eddie Sprague searched in vain, and obtained no clue 
to the fugitives, consequently he gave up the search, and 
returned to his home, a saddened wreck of manly strength 
and vigor. He closed up his business and house, returned 
to the scenes of his boyhood, thinking to drown his sor- 
rows, and, if possible, forget the past. 

^ ^ ^ ^ % 

In a long low row of tenement houses in a squalid part 
of London, lay the wasted form of what had been a beau- 
tiful woman. No one who looked upon her now would 
ever dream that she was once the gay and happy Madge 


48 


From Out The Shadows. 


Sprague. Want and privation had done its work, and 
she lay dying of a slow fever brought on by remorse of 
conscience. She called the woman who was attending 
her, and, in anxious tones, asked how long she has to live. 
“ I would like you to take down in writing all I have to 
say. Address your letters to Kittie Lee, and tell her that 
I am now on my dying bed, and wish her to know that 
through my treachery and falsehood I accomplished the 
parting of her and Eddie Sprague,” and tell her, gasped 
the poor woman, “that should she ever meet my husband,, 
tell him how much I regret the folly of my ways. Ta 
forgive me, and forget that there ever existed so miser^ 
able a wretch as Madge Sprague. You have never known 
me by my own name, I have given you another, for fear 
of detection, but in that trunk, pointing to a large Sara- 
toga, are some packages, do not forget to send them to 
the address, and more,” she whispered huskily, “bury me 
where no one will find me, for I. have been false to my- 
self and friends, and not for the world would I have them 
mourn over me, when it is too late.” The kind woman 
promised, with fast falling tears, for her heart was moved 
to pity for the unfortunate woman. “Now leave me 
alone. I am exhausted and must rest.” Poor girl, her 
sands of time had run out, and she died alone, without 
one glance of love to speed her parting soul. So we will 
leave her to the searcher of all hearts, let Him judge her 
as He knows best, and we will forgive her for her many 
short comings. 


From Out The Shadows, 


49 


CHAPTER VIII. 

The silent mid-day meal was over at Sing Sing prison, 
and the men were forming into line to march back to 
their monotonous labor, each face wearing a look of sad- 
ness and hopeless misery, when a uniformed officer tap- 
ped a grey-haired man upon the shoulder, and bad him 
follow him to his cell. 

‘‘ I believe some party wishes to see you. I will bring 
him at once,” Locking him in the cell the officer left 
him to bring the visitor. 

The poor man seemed overcome, and sat down upon 
his narrow cot to gain a little strength, if possible. 
“ Who can it be? ” he wondered, “ that wishes to see me 
after all these years. Perhaps my hour of deliverance is 
at hand, and again it may be another enemy sent to tor- 
ment me with some unknown crime.” Thus he mused, 
when his meditation was interrupted by a low, sym- 
pathetic voice, who, in anxious tones, inquired if his name 
was William Lee. 

‘‘ It is, sir,” answered the prisoner hurriedly. 

“ Would you, Mr. Lee, mind telling me something of 
your past life? ” said the stranger gazing at him in pity. 

“ Indeed, sir, I have very little to tell. I was born in 
the State of New York. My father and mother died 
when I was scarcely twelve years old, and I was left 
alone in the world without a relative that I could claim. 


50 


From Out The Shadows. 


Shortly after my father’s death (my mother having died 
two years previous), I entered the firm of Bartlett, 
Reeves & Co., and though quite young, I never forgot 
the teachings of my sainted mother (and here the poor 
prisoner wiped a tear). Oh, sir, I thank God she never 
lived to see her onty boy a branded criminal. I was pro- 
moted,” continued he, ‘‘ from time to time, until I became 
confidential clerk and business manager. All the money 
of the firm passed through my hands, and never, for a 
moment, was I tempted to touch one penny, when, one 
day, judge my surprise, I was accused of forging notes 
to the amount of thousands of dollars. In vain I pro- 
tested. The signatures were mine, and several of my 
fellow-workmen in the office testified to this validity. 
What could I do? I was alone in the world, and who 
cared whether I became a convict or not. I was tried, 
found guilty, and sentenced to this prison, where I have 
been for eight years.” 

“But, my good man,” said the stranger, “had you no 
enemy who could have used your signature?” 

“ None, sir, that I could or would accuse.” 

“ Can you remember the name of some of the men 
with whom you were on most friendly terms? ” 

“Jacob Stills was one, Eugene Darrow another, and 
Edward Morgan another. But I do not think that any 
man who worked with me would do me an injury. May 
I ask you why you come to enquire about a man you 
never saw before ? ” 


JFrom Out The Shadows. 51 

“‘Certainly. I am looking for a man by your name, 
.‘and if you are he, and, as you claim, innocent, I must 
vendeavor to procure your release.” 

“ May I ask you, sir, through what motive you are 
interesting yourself in my behalf?” 

“ Before I tell you,” continued the man, who, in his 
•own mind, felt fully convinced that he had found the man 
for whom he had been looking, “ I must ask you a few 
•questions. Tell me, had you ever a wife and child?” 
At this question the poor man broke down, and unable to 
■control his feelings, he wept unrestainedly, while Mr. 
.Stetson, for it was he, walked away to conceal his emo- 
tion. Gathering courage, he once more addressed him. 

My good man,” said he, “ do not give way to your feel- 
ings. If there is justice in the land you shall have it at 
any cost.” 

“ You ask me, sir,” said William, “ had I wife or child? 
J answer yes; a wife of only a few short months, who 
left me through the advise of others, and from whom I 
.have never heard one word. When she left me, she was 
about to become a mother, and the child, if living, must 
be a grown man or woman.” 

“ Would it please you to know that your wife is living? 
and you have a daughter, a lovely type of womanhood?” 

“ Oh, sir,” said William, “who ever you are, God bless 
you.” 

“What was the name of your wife?” 

“ Her name was Winnie Hildreth.” 


52 


From Out The Shadows, 


“ Then, sir, I bring you the news that through the 
efforts of your noble daughter I have found you at last^ 
We have been searching for you the past five years, and 
have worked unceasingly, and God be praised you are in 
the land of the living. Although things look quite dark, 
at present, I am sure you shall be restored to your little 
family. Now, Mr. Lee, I will leave you with the hppe 
of soon seeing you a free man. Keep up courage and 
all will yet be well.” 

“ Good-bye, sir, and God guide you in your undertak- 
ing.” 

* * ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 

After visiting Mr. Lee, Mr. Stetson went at once to 
detective headquarters,, and with a very shrewd man, 
began his modus o'perandi. 

“ I think,” said Stetson, “ we had better learn whether 
the firm are still in existence, and if they are, we might, 
discover something through them.” 

‘‘All right,” said Mr. Bangs, and they proceeded at 
once to make enquiries. Without any difficulty, they 
found the firm of Bartlett & Reeves, and after a hurried 
interview with Mr. Bartletjt, they very soon convinced 
him that William Lee was an innocent man. 

“ Gentlemen,” said he, “ I am with you in this under- 
taking. I have always felt that William was honest, and 
now I am sure of it. Don’t leave a stone unturned ta 
bring the villain to justice, and I think you will find him. 


From Out The Shadows, 


53 


in the same office where William once worked. I trusted 
him as I would my own son, and I don’t think he ever^ in 
one instancej betrayed that trust. I never really believed 
him guilty, but the evidence was too strong against him 
to allow me to do anything in his behalf.” 

“ I think, sir,” said the detective, “ the first thing we 
will, do, will be to visit the office where this man worked, 
und if any of those men are guilty, I can soon point out 
the man. No matter how hardened a man has become, 
he will betray himself in an unconscious moment.” 

Quietly entering the office, Mr. Bartlett gave the detec- 
tive every necessary information. 

Jacob Stills was still occupying the same desk, next to 
that once occupied by the condemned man, and from his 
appearance no one would ever think him guilty of any 
■dishonesty. Never,, for one moment had his conscience 
slept. He always felt ill at ease, and many times thought 
he would confess his crime, but being a man in the prime 
of life, he dreaded even the thought of prison bars. Mr. 
Bangs was a man who never worked hurriedly. He be- 
lieved in being “ slow and sure.” The first step he took 
was to obtain (as it were) a position in the office, and 
work among the men, as one of the employes. Weeks 
rolled on ; he cautiously watched the men, and from dif- 
ferent conversations with Jacob Stills, decided he had 
found the man he wanted. But prudence warned him to 
work with care, and at last having won the confidence of 
.those he cared about, he made known his discovery to 


54 


From Out The Shadows. 


Mr. Bartlett, and made arrangements to arrest the guilty 
party. 

One very cold morning in February, Mr. Bangs was- 
late in coming to business, as was a very unusual custom 
with him ; so that one of the men remarked that some- 
thing unusual must have occurred, for he was a very 
punctual man, and nothing ever interfered with his busi- 
ness. After some time Mr. Bangs entered, and going to< 
his desk began work in the usual manner. After work- 
ing perhaps half an hour, he touched an electric bell, 
which communicated with Mr. Bartlett’s private office.. 
In a short time that gentleman entered with two others,, 
and at that moment Mr. Bangs stepped up to Jacob Stills,, 
and said in a voice loud enough to be heard by all, “ Mr.. 
Stills, I arrest you for forging notes, and the signature of 
William Lee.” Jacob saw that he was done for, and fall- 
ing upon his knees begged Mr. Bartlett to keep him from, 
going to prison. “ No sir,” said the stern business man,, 
“yours is a double crime, and you must suffer for it.’” 
Mr. Bangs and the two men who came with Mr. Bartlett, 
(who were officers in disguise) had no trouble in arrest- 
ing their man, who seemed thankful to go as quietly as- 
possible. 

The next thing was to procure the release of William^. 
Lee, which was very easy to do, .and before many months, 
he was reinstated in his old position as confidential clerk. 
and business manager 


From Out The Shadows. 


55 


Mr. Stetson — the ever-thoughtful, kind man — thought 
it best to prepare Mrs. Lee for the meeting between her- 
self and husband, she being in such a weakened condition 
that it would not do to shock her nervous system. 

Mr. Bartlett was a thorough business man, and although 
one would judge, by his appearance, that he was one of 
those morose, unpleasant persons, he was at heart a ten- 
der, sympathetic friend, wherever he found a worthy 
object. 

His feelings had become so worked up by the injustice 
done William Lee, that he determined to recompense him 
in some manner for his sufferings, consequently he gave 
him a check for five thousand dollars, besides taking him 
back to his confidence and business. 

After all was in readiness, Mr. Stetson started on his 
mission of love. Arriving late at night, he did not seek 
the cottage until morning ; so after a hasty breakfast he 
repaired at once to break the good news to the mother 
and daughter. It was yet very early, but Kittie was out 
among her flowers, for spring had come, and the June 
roses were in full bloom. 

Looking up on the approach of footsteps, and reading 
in Mr. Stetson’s face the g ad news, she exclaimed in 
wildest joy, “ Before you speak I can tell you your errand. 
You come to bring me news of my father’s, release. Am 
I right?” she cried. 

You are right this time, little one,” said he, his eyes 
beaming with love and admiration. “You were right in 


56 


From Out The Shadows. 


saying ‘ fate makes many a curious move,’ and your 
father has been in Sing Sing ever since you were born, 
through the treachery of one whom he supposed to be 
his best friend. But thanks to friends, he is once more 
back in his former business, and Mr. Bartlett, the head of 
the firm, has presented him with a check and exonerated 
him from all blame. The man who so cruelly wronged 
him has been conveyed to jail and is now waiting his 
trial.” 

“ Oh ! how glad I am, I think this the happiest moment 
of my life. But how shall we break the news to dear 
mother?” said the ever-thoughtful girl, who always 
studied her parent’s comfort and happiness. 

“You must devise some plan whereby she will not be 
taken by surprise,” said the kind friend. 

“ Mr. Stetson, how are we ever to thank you for your 
kindness? It is to you that we owe all this happiness. 
What can I do to recompense you?” 

“ Kittie, if I have added to your happiness it is all I 
ask, and your happy smiles repay me for any trouble I 
have experienced. Believe me, when I tell you, that the 
happiest hours of my life have been passed in your society, 
and if you will give me the right to watch over your hap- 
piness, I shall think the prize well worth the labor. I love 
you,” continued he, “better than any woman I have ever 
met; I cannot say like many others, that I cannot live 
without you, but my life will be very lonely if passed 
away from you. If you will give me this right Kittie, I 


From Out The Shadows, 


57 

will do all in my power to make you happy. I will give 
you time to make up your mind. What say you ?” 

“ Mr. Stetson,” said the sweet girl blushingly, “ I have 
loved, and through my own fault, lost the first love of my 
life. Perhaps it was all for the best, I did not wish to 
leave my mother in her helplessness. But now she will 
have father to comfort her, and, although it will be very 
hard to leave her, still, if you will accept what love I can 
give you, there is my hand, and I hope it will never lead 
you through any tangled paths of life.” 

“ God bless you, darling,” he rapturously exclaimed as 
he took her little hand between his own. ‘‘And may 
heaven deal with me as I deal with you.” 

“ I do not think,” said she, as she gathered a lovely 
rose and fastened it in button hole, “that we had 
better tell mother anything of our engagement, she will 
not feel such perfect happiness in her new-found joy, if 
she knows that I intend leaving her. Do you think I am 
right,” she said, smilingly, “ Mr. Stetson?” 

“ Never call me Mr. Stetson again, I am always Phillip 
to you. And do I think you are right? Why, I do not 
think you can ever act in an}^ other manner,” said her 
lover playfully. “And, Kittie, one thing I must tell you, 
do not keep me waiting too long for my bride; I am very 
impatient, and long to transplant this lovely flower into a 
bower of my own.” 

“ Very well Mr. — Phillip,” she said, while the crimson 
blood spread over her beautiful face, “ I will not delay 


58 


From Out The Shadows. 


any unnecessary time, and before the summer flowers fade 
I will become your bride.” 

Let us leave them, reader, for the scene is very 
familiar to many of us, and their joy is only for them- 



selves. 


CHAPTER IX. 


A few short years have passed since the opening of: 
our story, and we And Eddie Sprague back again to his 
old home, but he is not the same man who, on the morn- 
ing when the bells rang out so merrily, left the little 
church with such buoyant step and heart full of brilliant 
anticipations. We see him now as he passes down the 
street, with bowed head and slow monotonous tread. His 
thoughts are ever with the past. The little marble face 
is ever before him, the sweet voice still ringing in his; 
ears. He seems unmindful of the world and its surround- 
ings. Memory carries him back to the beautiful long 
ago, and again he sees a little boy and girl wending their 
way together, little thinking of the great future before 
them. Time passes, they grew to maturity, and their 
love strengthens with their years. The scene of parting; 
comes before him, and again he hears those vows which 
bind two loving hearts together. The scene fades and 
another is presented to his view. It is that of a loving 


From Out The Shadows, 


59 * 


girl, who, out of love and filial duty, clings to an invalid 
mother, and lays aside her own happiness in order tO' 
minister to the wants of that dearly loved parent. The- 
hour of parting forever is at hand, the angry letters, the 
last interview, the protestations of the innocent girl, alt 
pass before his rriind’s eye like a great panorama,- and he 
lives it all over again and sees just where he might have 
saved himself the misery of a life time; but, alas, it is too 
late. Too late, too late, is the sad echo of many a world 
weary heart. Thus he muses over the past until he 
reaches the little cottage wherein dwells all that makes> 
life worth living for, and, mechanically ringing the bell, 
asks if Miss Lee is at home. 

“ What name shall I say,” asks the servant. 

No particular name; merely say that a friend wishes.- 
to see her.” 

How his heart beats in anticipation as he hears a foot- 
step approaching, whose sound to him was like the- 
music of a well remembered dream. 

At last they stand face to face. Neither could speak 
for a moment. When reason and speech returned. Eddie- 
found voice to inquire after the dear mother’s health.. 
Kittie was very pale, but beyond that not a tremor oi 
emotion disturbed the peaceful face. 

“ I am Very glad to see you, Eddie,” said she, extend- 
ing her hand in welcome. “ You are somewhat changed;, 
still I can see the old looks.” 


From Out The Shadows, 


€o 

“ Yes, Kittie,” said he fondly, “ and you are the same 
dear girl I left. But you do not know the terrible mis- 
take I made. Poor Madge did not make the wife I 
anticipated. I blame myself a great deal. Had I paid 
her more attention and cared less for business, it would 
have been better.” 

, ‘‘Yes, Eddie,” said the gentle girl, “Madge is cer- 
tainly not all to blame in this affair. She had no mother 
to teach her the right and wrong. She went wherever 
inclination led her, and being a natural giddy girl, fond 
<of society what else can you expect?” 

“Let it pass; she has gone out of your life, and you 
have no right to recall her feelings. You do not know 
the teaching that was practiced upon me. Madge is 
■dead. I received a letter from a woman from London 
saying she had died at her house, and her confession of 
treachery to me, of which I never dreamed. No one 
knows of this letter, and I did not care to mention its 
■contents for fear of opening an old wound which has 
-healed over. Let it rest as it is. But this much I will 
tell you. She says in her dying confession that she used 
every means to convince you that I had turned traitoress 
to my vows.” 

“ Can it be possible, Kittie, that you were never false 
to me? ” 

“ Never, Eddie, for one moment, did I forget the 
promise I made you at parting.” 


jFrom Out The Shadows. 


6 1 

“Oh, heaven! what art that woman used to turn me 
from you. I can almost curse her in her grave.” 

“ Eddie, I have forgiven her, why cannot you?” 

“Oh! when I think of the misery and disgrace I have 
suffered at that woman’s hands,” said the wretched man. 
No one knows the many sleepless nights of restless long- 
ing. I have always loved you, Kittie, just the same. My 
heart has always been true to its first love.” 

“ Do not talk so to me, Eddie. I cannot tell you now, 
but some day, not far distant, I will tell- you my future 
plans. I have something to tell you, of which you have 
never heard. My father is living, and expects soon ta 
return to dear mother and me.” 

“Why, I never knew he was living! Where has he 
been all these years? ” 

“He has been confined in Sing Sing prison; put there 
by the treachery of one whom he thought was his near- 
est and best friend.” 

“The world is full of just such friends,” said Eddie, 
“ we find them around us every day.” 

“Yes, you are right; but in our great happiness, we 
must forget and forgive. You know the good father 
above has told us that ‘ we must forgive, as we would be 
forgiven.’ I do not harbor any ill feelings against any 
one. You would not know how to appreciate the good 
of life if you did not feel the sting of sorrow.” 


<62 


From Out The Shadows, 


“ do believe, Kittie, you were born for some higher 
sphere than you are now filling. You seem more like an 
angel than a human being.” 

“ You do not know what you are saying, Eddie. 
Everybody does not look at me through the same pair 
of eyes that you do. But we are forgetting that another 
pair of eyes would love to look upon you.” 

“ Yes, dear, let us go at once to your mother.” 

“ You will find her much changed, Eddie; but she is 
looking better since we have received news of father’s 
safety. Just think how long she has mourned him as 
dead. Never has one word of him reached her ears 
since I was born. Through a friend of ours we have 
discovered him, and you do not know with what impa- 
tience I await his coming. My mother does not know 
that he was in Sing Sing, and I do not wish her to have 
the faintest idea where he has been, unless he thinks best 
to tell her. But come, we will find her wondering where 
I am so long. 

Reader, follow me once more to the Sing Sing prison. 
Again we find the solitary occupant of cell 84 with 
bowed head and weary waiting heart anxiously listening 
for each footstep to stop at his door with news of his lib- 
eration. Each step vibrates with the beating of his own 
heart. At last they stop, and he hears the welcome 
words, which tell him. he is a free man. He cannot 
speak; he is overcome with joy. The tears are coursing 
down his cheeks, as he grasps both men by the hand 


From Out The Shadows. 


63 


and steps out no longer branded as a “prison bird.” 
“ Thank God,” he gasps, “ I -hope I shall never see the 
interior of a prison of any kind.” But who is this 
guarded by two sheriffs.^ A feeling of pity arises in his 
bosom as he he gazes upon the well-known features of 
Jacob Stills. William Lee is a good man at heart, 
and even though it be his greatest enemy, he feels a gen- 
uine sorrow for the man who has so deeply wronged him. 
As they approach, both men gaze into each others faces. 
One with a look of pity, the other drops his eyes with 
shame. He is placed in the same cell vacated by William 
Lee. Thus we leave him where he should have been 
years ago, had justice been meted out to him as he 
•deserved. 

In a lovely cottage almost hidden among roses and hon- 
■eysuckle, we find a beautiful girl flitting here and there, 
giving finishing touches to the arrangement of the richly 
appointed parlors. Her heart is very light, for she is pre- 
paring to meet a beloved father, whom she has never 
seen. Of course, we recognize Kittie Lee, and love 
prompts her every movement. “ I must put a few flow- 
ers in mother’s hair, too,” she soliloquized, “she must 
look something like the dear girl he left. While she is 
musing alone a ring at the door bell disturbs her thoughts, 
and Mr. Stetson makes his appearance, accompanied by a 
gray-haired, handsome man of middle age. The happy 
girl does not need an introduction. She knows too well 
whose face it is that smiles with such love upon her. 


64 


From Out The Shadows, 


“ My dear father ! ” she cries, as she is clasped in a warm 
embrace ; “Oh! how I have longed for this blessed mo~ 
ment, to feel a dear father’s arms around me ; a dear 
father’s kiss upon my lips ! ” then turning to her lover, 
says: “Excuse me, Mr. Stetson, but my joy is so great I 
had almost forgotten the existence of any other person.” 
But Mr. Stetson had turned away ; he could not witness 
this meeting without tears. 

“Father,” said the noble girl, “we have this kind and 
generous-hearted man to thank for all this happiness. 
He it was who interested himself in our behalf, and 
through his untiring efforts has accomplished the restora- 
tion of a father to his lonely wife and child.” “ Yes, my 
child,” said the happy father, “ and he has told me a little 
secret and taking Kittie’s hand he placed it within that 
of her lover’s, saying, “ God bless you, my children, and 
may you always be as happy as I am this day.” 

They did not notice in their joy that a trembling form 
had darkened the doorway. The sound of a well-remem- 
bered voice had penetrated into other apartments and 
given strength to that fragile, failing woman, such as no 
medicine had done, and all eyes turned at once. William 
Lee caught the fainting form, and kneeling with her in 
his arms, thanked God with streaming eyes for the bless- 
ing of seeing her dear face once more. Mr. Stetson and 
Kittie withdrew from that interview ; it was too sacred 
for other eyes; and, reader, we will do the same. 


Prom Out The Shadows. 


65 


From the day of Mr. Lee’s return to his family his- 
wife began to grow better and it was astonishing how 
rapidly the color came back to her cheeks and lips, she 
seemed to have gone through a perfect transformation. 
How true it is that “love is life.” But in the meantime 
Phillip Stetson grew impatient, and began to think it 
high time that he claimed his bride. 

Kittie seemed in no hurry to leave her new found-hap- 
piness, but the secret in her inmost heart was this: how 
could she give her* hand to one man when she loved an- 
other. Perhaps many readers who chance to scan these 
pages sympathize with the sweet girl, who dared not 
choose between gratitude and love, she must sacrifice her 
ov/n feelings. What matter what life held for her so long 
as others were happy? 

“ Kittie^” said Eddie one day shortly after her father’s 
return, “are you willing to take me now after all I have 
passed through ? 

“ Oh! Eddie,” she replied, “do you not know? Have 
you not heard?” 

“ Heard what, dear?” 

“ That I promised to become Mr. Stetson’s wife,” she 
said brokenly. 

“ No, dear; I never dreamed of such a thing.” 

“ He has been so kind to us, and it is through him we 
owe my father’s release, that out of gratitude I accepted 
his offer. Believe me, I did not know that you would 
ever return to ask my hand in marriage. I have always 


66 


From Out The Shadows. 


loved you Eddie, but I cannot recall my promise to Mr. 
Stetson. He will do all he can to make me happy, and 
if by becoming his wife will repay the debt of gratitude, 
it is as little as I can do.” 

“ Ah ! but Kittie, think of the many years I have loved 
you. Ufidoubtedly you blame me for listening to the 
falsehoods of poor Madge, and to a certain extent I am 
to blame. I should have inquired more closely into the 
relations between you and Mr. Stetson at that time ; but 
I am naturally jealous, and the least reason in the world 
looked like some terrible cause, whereby I was wronged. 
Forgive me, Kittie, and take me back once more to your 
heart.” 

“ Leave me to-day, Eddie, I am not myself, and am not 
capable of deciding what is best to do.” 

“ But, dear,” you will not send me away without some 
hope ? ” 

“ I cannot give you any. I have given my word to 
Mr. Stetson, and I would not break his heart. If I knew 
that death awaited me at the moment I became his wife, 
I would not refuse him. Let that suffice. I suffer as 
much and more than you ; therefore do not blame me 
when I tell you that I cannot retract my words.” 

“You are a noble girl, Kittie, and there are very few 
like you. No doubt Mr. Stetson has discovered that fact 
long ago. God bless you, darling, but I will not give up 
all hope, for something will surely turn up to aid me, in 
my own behalf. Tell me, Kittie, should you marry this 


l^rom Out The Shadows. 67 

man, could you in truth and honor swear that you do not 
-love any other ? ” 

“ You have no right, Eddie, to ask me such questions.” 

“ Perhaps not ; but tell me truly, do you love me or 
-that man ? ” 

“ I love duty.” 

‘‘ Ah ! but you do not answer my question.” 

“ I cannot ; do not ask me.” 

“ Have you no faith in my honor ? ” 

“Yes ; but I stand as it were between heaven and 
'earth.” 

“ Duty bids me marry the man whom, I believe, saved 
my mother’s life.” 

“ Do you think for one moment that that man, whom I 
believe to be a man of honor, would hesitate to give you 
up to happiness, when he knows that you are marrying 
him out of gratitude ? ” 

“ I cannot say ; but this much, Eddie, I will never 
breathe to him one word of the past. He must never 
know that you and I once loved each other.” 

“ Once, Kittie, did you say ? ” 

Yes. We must waken from that dream ; we can 
never realize the happiness of passing the few years left 
us, together.” 

“ Do not speak in that way, Kittie ; let us live and hope 
that our trials will end in happiness.” 

“ Eddie, you may think I am acting very strangely, but 
I say again,.! will never be the cause of bringing sorrow 


68 


From Out The Shadows. 


to the heart of such a kind and noble friend as Mr. Stet- 
son. My father and mother approve my becoming his. 
wife. If Mr. Stetson should change his feelings toward 
me, then and then only will I recall my vows.” 

« Very well, dear, I will not urge you any more when 
I see you are so determined. But, darling, just so sure 
as we are both living, just so sure shall I call you my 
wife. Adieu, little one, I will see you again very soon.” 

After the departure of Eddie, poor Kittie could no- 
longer control her feelings, and bursting into tears wept 
long and unrestrainedly. 

At last drying her tears, she sought her only solace^ 
her mother. 

“Mother, I have had a long interview with Eddie 
Sprague, and he has again urged his suit. You know, 
dear, I have given my promise to Mr. Stetson, and moth- 
er, he loves me so dearly that I would not break his 
heart, at any cost.” 

“ But, my child, you must not sacrifice your life thus,” 
reasoned the cooler head of the mother. 

“But, mother, I alone would suffer. You know had 
it not been for Mr. Stetson, we should never have found 
dear father. No matter what sacrifice we make, we can 
never repay him for his kindness.” 

“ Dear child, why sacrifice your life ? Surely he would 
not ask it. He is a man of honor, and would never con- 
sent to such folly.” 


From Old The Shadows. 


69 


“ I do not consider it folly. Would you have me break 
tny word, when he, who gave me back my mother’s 
health and a dear father’s love, asks for a recompense the 
little love I have to give him ?” 

“ No, my daughter, I would not. But I do think, that 
when one buries the one love of a life, for the sake of 
gratitude, that that is committing a sin, for you are trifling 
with the life God has given you, and you have mo right 
to do so.” 

“ Nevertheless, I am as firm in my determination 
as the rock of Gibraltar, and just as easy to move. 
Mother,” said the sweet girl, putting her arms around her 
neck and drawing that precious head to her bosom, “ you 
don’t know all, or you would not ^dvise me as you do. 
T^ddie is very dear to me, and I do not think I can ever 
love another as I do him. But he lent a very willing ear 
to Madge Arleigh when she told him I was false to my 
vows, and I do not think that he acted in an honorable 
manner toward me. He knew me too well to doubt me, 
and besides he knew that I would never leave my mother 
in her helplessness, and I told him so. You know my 
ideas in regard to honor and principle.” 

“Yes, my child,” said the mother, kindly stroking her 
lovely hair, but when it comes to making two lives miser- 
able for the sake of honor, I say it is wrong.” 

“ Mother, do not urge me any longer. My heart is 
almost breaking now. Here comes dear father, let us 
have his opinion.” 


70 


From Out The Shadows. 


Mr. Lee has changed somewhat since returning to the 
world and happiness. We no longer see a face wearing^ 
a look of sadness, but joy is depicted on every feature. 

“Father,” said Kittie, “you know that Mr. Stetson has. 
asked me to be his wife, and I know that mother has told 
you all the trouble between Eddie Sprague and I. Now 
he comes to renew his vows and wishes to make me his 
wife. I have given my word to Mr. Stetson, and honor 
forbids me breaking it. What is your opinion on the 
subject ? ” 

“ My daughter, your happiness is all I care for. If 
you think you can be happy with Mr. Stetson, then take 
him. Do whatever ybUr conscience or heart dictates.” 

“ But, father, I do not follow the dictates of my heart- 
Duty, gratitude and honor alone guide me. Had it not 
been for Mr. Stetson, we would never have found you 
and poor mother would perhaps have been in her grave 
long ago.” 

“Yes, but you should not let duty guide you in all 
things. There are many ways in which one can be 
grateful, but 3^ou must study your own happiness to a 
certain extent.” 

“Father, I consider that duty is happiness.” 

“ Yes, in a great many ways it is ; but when a life time 
of happiness is to be considered against duty, one must 
hesitate before deciding upon so grave a matter.” 

“ If I was to decide upon refusing Mr. Stetson, know- 
ing how much he loves me, I never could be happy wherb 


From Out The Shadows. 


71 

I thought of the misery I had caused him, for I am very 
sure that were I to discard him now, he would be a mis- 
erable man the remainder of his life.” 

“ My child, you are a noble woman, and have a high 
regard for truth and honor. Why not speak to Mr. Stet- 
son, and give him a true state of affairs ? ” 

“ Not for the world. I think we had better let matters 
rest, as they are. Father, you are so kind. Oh ! I am 
so grateful for my dear father’s love. I feel more than 
grateful to our Heavenly Father for having given me two 
such loving parents,” and throwing her arms around her 
father’s neck, expressed her love in ardent kisses ; then 
going to her chamber, knelt beside her couch of spotless 
white and prayed long and earnestly. 

Would to Heaven we all had more regard for truth and 
honor ! What a world of trouble and sorrow would be 
averted. 


CHAPTER X. 

Time is the healer of all wounds. Memory may leave 
its impress and the wound heals over, but the tell-tale scar 
remains. Is there one, I wonder, in this world, who has 
not felt a touch of romance in their lives ? Where is the 
heart that has never been reached by love ? Ah, reader, 
they are very scarce. Love is the ruling passion of the 
world ; without it what would mankind be ? It is a bea- 


72 


From Out The Shadows, 


con light to shipwrecked mariners on the sea of life. 
Love and hope guides the weary tempest-tossed sailor to 
a harbor of safety and rest. The laborer whose back is 
bent with toil, whose brow is damp and clammy with the 
moisture of suspense, whose hard, stony hands grasp 
whatever chance throws in his way, works with a will of 
contented pride for those he loves. God pity those who 
must live without love ! Many and many a heart is ach- 
ing with its load of untold grief, many a head bowed low 
for want of a few words of love. There is a page in 
every life devoted to the sacredness of that one sentiment, 
and could our gaze scan each one separately what won- 
derful secrets we would unveil. The heart is a curious 
piece of mechanism ; who can unfold its mysteries ? 
Who can fathom its depths ? It is a little thing, yet it 
governs the human body. Mother love ! sweetest relic 
of Eden ! there is naught on earth half so holy. It never 
dies. Look at the hardened sinner who knows nothing 
of shame ; who cares for nothing and no one ; whose 
heart is seared with crime, remind him of a dear mother 
who watched over his infancy, of her tender care and 
love. You will not fail to detect a moisture in his eyes 
as memory recalls the little prayer breathed beside her 
knee. Ah ! her influence is felt long after the grave has 
closed over her dear form forever. Her teachings never 
die. How many, many times as we journey on through 
life are we reminded of our early homes and their influ- 
ences. A word, a, look, a tone, (no matter how trifling), 


Frojn Out The Shadows, 


73 

will carry us back, and we unconsciously drop a tear at 
memory’s shrine. 

Even now as I write, a picture rises before me of a 
home far away, where seated around an old-fashioned fire 
place is a mother and her little ones. Each face is bent 
lovingly toward hers, and all seem eager to catch any 
word dropped from those dear lips. She is telling them 
the old, old story of Christ and his birth-place. How 
well I remember it all ! I can hear her gentle voice now 
as distinctly as I heard it then. 

Mr. Lee’s business demanded that his family should 
leave the cottage where Kittie and her mother had spent 
so many happy hours and remove to New York — there 
to begin life anew, and, if possible, forget their past sor- 
rows. But before entering upon his duties, he concluded 
to surprise his wife by a visit back to the old home at 
Roseneath, consequently we find them starting upon their 
journey. Time brings many changes, and the home 
where Willie Lee whispered such sweet words of love to 
Winnie Hildredth, was not changed. How Kittie’s heart 
beat with joy as she gazed upon those scenes, endeared 
to her by the recollection that her mother’s happiest 
hours had been passed within its sacred portals. How 
those two hearts that fate had dealt so roughly with, 
grew young again at sight of the old home. 


74 


From Out The Shadows. 


Two years have passed since we took leave of William. 
Lee and his family, and now we find them in a beautiful 
home in a fashionable part of New York. One who 
looks upon Mrs. Lee as she sits with some light article of 
fancy work in her hands, would scarcely believe that so 
short a time had passed since she was restored to health.. 
Now her cheeks are full, her face beams with light' and 
love ; she no longer looks upon life as a weary burden. 
She has her loved ones around her and her cup of happi- 
ness is full to the brim. 

“ I wonder,” she says, “ is there any one so blest as I ?' 
what more can I ask ? But the day is near at hand I am 
sure when Mr. Stetson will claim my darling ; how can 
I ever consent to her leaving me ? I must’ not be selfish 
in my love ; how can I expect to always claim her heart ?' 
Ah no ! to love is human, and her heart is full of it. It 
was through her great love for me that I am restored tO' 
health and happiness.” 

“ Dear mother,” exclaims Kittie, entering in haste, and 
finding tears in her mother’s eyes, “ what is the cause of 
these tears ? I thought sorrow was buried with the past, 
and now I find you looking sad, and with eyes full of 
tears.” 

“ Nothing, dear ; I was thinking of a day soon to come- 
when my only child will claim other love than mine.” 

Clasping her arms around her mother’s neck, the sweet 
girl in tones of sympathy and regret vowed she would 
never leave her home. “ No, mother, your claim upon 


From Out The Shadows. 75: 

my love is first; duty and love both bid me give to you 
my first and strongest love. I should indeed be very 
ungrateful were I to leave a mother whose tender care 
has brought me to years of maturity. I could not give 
up your love of my life for an untried love. The shelter 
of my mother’s arms are far more sacred than that of the 
whole world.” 

“ Mother,” she cried, with tears streaming down her 
cheeks, “my life belongs to you; do with it as you think 
best. If it pleases you I will become Mr. Stetson’s wife, 
and do my best to make as dutiful a wife as I have a 
daughter; but if you think that you still need me in your 
declining years, I will cheerfully, nay, happily, give up- 
all other loves for yours. Can I do more ? ” 

“Oh! my precious daughter,” said Mrs. Lee, “if I 
were sure you would be happy with Mr. Stetson, I would 
not feel as though I was allowing any clouds to darken 
your sky of happiness. I know, my daughter, that your 
heart still clings to your early love. You are not one of 
those fickle-minded persons who can love and lose without 
feeling some regret. Your nature is, to love once is to 
love forever, and I am sure that duty alone guides you in 
this affair. Oh! my child, let your heart guide you.’! 

“ I always do that, mother.” 

“Yes, I know you do. But I cannot consent to yoa 
giving your hand to one man when I am very positive 
that you love another.” 


76 


From Out The Shadows. 


They were interrupted by a servant announcing Mr. 
•Stetson. 

“ Good morning, ladies,” said he, in his usual cheerful 
tone, and seating himself beside Mrs. Lee commenced 
sorting out her skeins of silk. “ I always remember 
when a boy of assisting my sister with her fancy work, 
and I am confident that I understand shading silks fully 
as well, if not better, than half the ladies. My good 
mother taught me to be always employed at something, 
for idleness oft led men and women into trouble, and I 
find that the precepts and maxims if followed always 
brought happy results.” 

“ Mr. Stetson,” said Mrs. Lee, “ I think your cheerful 
disposition is really a fortune in itself. I don’t remember 
the time during our short acquaintance of ever seeing the 
least sign of worry or trouble in your face.” 

“ No, madam, I don’t know what sadness means. I 
never give way to trouble of any kind. I have reasoned 
with myself many times, if we by fretting and brooding 
over trouble, ever made life longer or ourselves happier, 
and I find that a man will live just as long and be just as 
fiappy if he overlooks the many little mistakes of this life, 
and carries a cheerful heart with him everywhere. No 
one cares for other peoples troubles ; they may sympathize 
with them and offer consolation, but it goes no farther. 
I often think when I hear people say, ‘ I am so sorry for 
4such and such a person,’ I think if one is really sorry let 


From Out The Shadows. 77 

him show it by actions, not by words. It is actions that 
count every time.” 

“ I think,” continued Mrs. Lee, “ that we are too apt to 
brood over trouble. I am inclined that way, and had it 
not been for Kittie’s cheerfulness I would hare been in 
my grave long ago.” 

“Yes, Mrs. Lee, and although I am impatient to claim 
my bride, I have dreaded to take her from you.” 

“I appreciate your thoughtfulness, Mr. Stetson, and 
although two years have passed since she promised ta 
become your wife, I am just as reluctant to give her up 
now as I was then. You know the comfort that frail 
girl has been to me. I leaned upon her as much as 
though I had been a helpless infant, and in every trial of 
any nature she never failed me.” 

“Mother,” said Kittie, her face burning with blushes, 
“I am afraid that you and Mr. Stetson are trying to 
spoil me with your flattery. I have done no more than 
most daughters do under the same circumstances. You 
do not seem to know that you have been a very tender 
mother to me, and my love has been so strong for you I 
could not have acted otherwise.” 

“True; but my daughter, your whole life has been 
given to me, and selfishness never found a resting place 
in your nature. If it had you would have left me long 
ago.” 


■78 


From Out The Shadows, 


“ Never mind, mother,” said Kittie, knowing full well 
that her mother referred to Eddie Sprague, “ let us drop 
this subject. It is not interesting to Mr. Stetson.” 

“You are very much mistaken. Miss Kittie,” said that 
gentleman. “ You are a very interesting subject to me.” 

“ Thank you, Mr. Flatterer.” 

“Well, ladies,” said Mr. Stetson, rising, “I think I 
have honored you with my presence long enough. 
Kittie, I have some private words I wish to say to you. 
Good bye, Mrs. Lee, and when I come again I hope you 
will need some more help with your silk.” 

So he withdrew his sunny presence, and before leaving 
they had settled the day of their marriage, and looked 
forward to no interruptions of any kind. But alas! we 
are all victims of circumstances. 

* 

The day came at last, when Kittie must chbose between 
love and duty. Love whispered, take the man you love; 
but duty spoke loudest and urged that she belonged to 
the man whose kindness had saved her mother’s life and 
restored a father to his family. 

Once more Eddie Sprague urged his suit, and with the 
.same result. Although Kittie loved him, and felt that the 
battle with herself was fierce and strong, still she was 
■determined to conquer, and do that which she believed to 
be right. Mr. Lee felt it his duty to inform Mr. Stetson 
of the true state of affairs. “For,” said he to his wife, 


From Out The Shadows. 


19 


if he is the man I think he is, he would sooner lose his 
life than bind himself to a woman whose heart belonged 
to another.” 

“ I believe after all, Willie, if I were you I would 
inform Mr. Stetson without Kittie’s knowledge,” said 
the mother; “for the girl has such high notions in regard 
to honor and principle, that she would never consent to 
having Mr. Stetson know anything about that affair.” 

So Mr. Lee called at Mr. Stetson’s place of business 
•and asked a private interview with him. 

“ Mr. Stetson,” said he, “ it is with great reluctance 
und regret shat I have called upon you to-day, to discuss 
a matter which is unpleasant in the extreme.” 

“ Go on, Mr. Lee,” said the suitor, his face growing 
pale with apprehension. “ Whatever your news is, 
whether relating to myself or business, no matter which, 
I am ready for anything, you know. I never flinch, even 
were I obliged to face a cannon.” 

“ I do not think,” said Mr. Lee, “ that you know any- 
thing about a love affair between my daughter and Mr. 
■Sprague? They have loved each other from childhood, 
and always looked forward to a consummation of their 
hopes; but when Mr. Sprague was admitted to the bar 
he thought some western city would be a good field for 
his labors, and consequently he settled in the city of M — . 
Before leaving, however, he urged Kittie to go with him 
as his wife; but you know her devotion to her mother, 
and no matter what argument he urged, she stood reso- 


8o 


From Out The Shadows. 


lute, and chose to remain. So they parted, with the 
understanding that when her mother’s health improved 
she would become his wife. But fate interfered, in the 
shape of an old friend of his, and a girl whom Kittie 
never cared to associate with, by the name of Madge 
Arleigh, who without any honor or respect for principle^ 
contrived in some way to convince Mr. Sprague that 
Kittie had failed to keep her vows, and was receiving 
attention from you.” 

“ Why did not Kittie prove by me that this girl’s inter- 
ference was through a motive of malice ? ” said Mr. 
Stetson, with trembling voice. “Any one with half 
reasoning powe'r knows that Kittie Lee is a girl far above 
falsehood and deceit.” 

“You see,” continued Mr. Lee, “Eddie Sprague is 
very jealous, and he did not listen to reason, so wrote 
Kittie, upbraiding her for bejng false to her vows, and 
she through pride and self respect, felt so wronged that 
she would not stoop to explain the true cause of all this 
seemingly false accusation. So without any more explan- 
ation, she allowed a marriage to be consummated between 
Eddie Sprague and Madge Arleigh. No one ever knew 
her feelings, and even the very day they were married^, 
poor child when suffering with a tortured heart, she con- 
cealed all news of his perfidy from her mother, merely 
saying that it was Madge Arleigh’s wedding day, and 
refused to give the name of the man who became her 
husband. So time passed, and Madge turned out a very 


From Out The Shadows. 8i 

trifling woman. She flirted and enjoyed the society of 
other men, while her husband was devoted to his business, 
and never thought for one moment to control the actions 
of his giddy wife, until it all ended in an elopement with 
some unprincipled villain. I believe they lost a beautiful 
little child, who died from exposure and neglect,, which 
almost broke his heart for he is a very devoted man in 
his family. After his wife left him he gave up his busi- 
ness and returned to his old home, in order, if possible, to- 
recuperate his lost health and happiness. The conse- 
quence was that he never forgave himself for having 
listened to the false reports of his wife in regard to Kittie, 
and, as a matter of course, when he returned to the 
haunts of his boyhood the old memories came flooding 
o’er his heart in great force and the love of long years 
grew warm again, and he has urged a renewal of his 
suit, but Kittle has given her word to you and under no 
circumstances whatever will she consent to a withdrawal 
of her hand from you. She feels that you have been the 
means of saving her mother’s life, and had it not been for 
your devotion and aid I should to-day have been a pris- 
oner at Sing Sing. I know she still loves Eddie Sprague 
and although her heart would break she would not grieve 
you by acknowledging that she still loves her old friend. 
Her mother and I have both talked and tried by every 
power of persuasion to convince her that she is commit- 
ting a sin by becoming your wife when her heart really 
belongs to Eddie Sprague.” 


82 


From Out The Shadows. 


“Mr. Lee,” said the noble man, “I appreciate your 
kindness in coming to me and consider you a true friend, 
by this very act alone, for did you not consider my happi- 
ness you would never have come to me to-day,” and 
grasping Mr. Lee by the hand expressed his gratitude in 
the warmest terms. “For,” said he, “you have saved 
two lives from misery ; for where there is not perfect 
love between man and wife, there can be no happiness. 
If men and women of the present day would study their 
hearts a little closer, and look more to honor and integrity, 
there would be no use for divorce courts, and less sin and 
sorrow in this world. I would not, believe me, sacrifice 
your daughter’s happiness for all the wealth the world 
affords. I love her, and I must confess that no woman 
has ever found the way to my heart as she has done. 
You have loved, and therefore can sympathize with me. 
It will be very hard to give her up, but when a man does 
his duty he must learn to bow to the inevitable. I hope 
I shall have the pleasure of some day meeting Mr. 
Sprague, and if I do I will never hold one feeling of 
resentment against him. Mr. Lee, I shall never marry, 
for with me one love suffices. Do not speak of this to 
Kittie. I will sbe her myself, and explain why I have 
taken this step. Again let me thank you for your kind- 
ness/’ 

“ Mr. Stetson, do not thank me for doing that which 
you would do yourself. I trust we shall always remain 
good friends, and always remember that as long as I live. 


From Out The Shadows, 83 

the warmest corner by my fireside belongs to you. Now 
I must hasten away.” 

After warmly shaking hands, the two men parted, and 
when he was again alone Mr. Stetson could not repress 
the tears that came to his eyes, and brushing them away, 
he felt that they were manly tears over the loss of one of 
the noblest women on earth. “ But I must not mourn 
my loss, for she never belonged to me, and I am only 
doing as I would be done by. But, Mr. Sprague, have a 
care ; she will always be as dear to me in the years to 
come as she is at this moment.” He tried to work, but 
he could not ; the words all seemed blurred and he could 
see nothing before him but the face of the woman he 
loved — who alas, could never belong to him. 

Mr. Stetson was a brave man, and he never flinched 
from duty. 

The day was drawing near when Mr. Stetson expected 
to lead sweet Kittie Lee to the altar, and yet he had never 
told her of the change which had been made through the 
kindness of her devoted father. But he, in his great 
good-natured way, had arranged with Eddie Sprague 
that she must be kept in ignorance of the bliss in store 
for her until a few days of her marriage. The day 
dawned at last when the two men stood before her, and 
the nobler one of the two would relinquish the hand of 
her they both loved so dearly. 

“ Kittie,” said Mr. Stetson, ‘‘ we have met here to-day 
to decide which of us two would make you the happiest.” 


84 


From Out The Shadows. 


“ Mr. Stetson,” — she began but he would not let 

her speak until he had told his story — • so he began : 

“Years ago, in a western city, lived two families who 
were very near neighbors, and each family had one child 
— the girl the daughter of an invalid mother, who, 
through sorrow at losing her husband, had lost the bless- 
ing of good health ; but she found a blessing in her 
daughter, who by devotion and love made many bright 
hours for her mother, and nursed her with so much ten- 
derness that she almost forgot that she lost the pleasures 
of the outside world. This girl and boy grew up to 
maturity, loving each other with true devotion and were 
bound by the closest ties ; but a serpent crept between 
them and unperceived worked dissension between them. 
They parted, and he, through the wiles and trickeries of 
an unprincipled woman, learned to doubt one of the 
noblest girls on earth, and by her manoeuvers she con- 
trived to inveigle him into a marriage, of which she soon 
tired, and left him to follow a vile wretch made after the 
image of a man. The poor, broken-hearted husband 
returned to his home, after losing a dear little child by 
death, and tried in every way to forget the unnatural 
mother, who in a very short time died alone and uncared 
for — the same as all transgressors die. After the first 
outburst of his grief and trouble was over, he called upon 
the dear girl whose image still dwelt in his heart as fresh 
as ever, and found her the same sweet ministering angel 


From Out The Shadows. 


8s 


as of old. The old story was repeated, and although her 
heart was breaking, she told him that she was pledged to 
another, and would not break the vows, if she knew 
•death stared her in the face. This man to whom these 
vows were made discovered by certain means, (which I 
will not mention), that the man who loved this girl would 
be made miserable for life if he must lose the one love of 
his early boyhood, and he determined that as he had 
inever known a sorrow himself, he would not be the means 
to cause two beings to be made miserable, while he went 
through life enjoying that for which those two suffered. 
'Consequently he vowed that at whatever risk he ran, he 
would re-unite these two who had been parted by cruel 
fate. And now, Kittie and Mr. Sprague, I give you 
to each other, and I trust and hope that you may enjoy 
many years of happiness together.” 

Kittie had sat like one stupified through this story of 
pure unselfishness and sacrifice, and at its conclusion 
burst into tears of genuine pity and regret. “ Oh, Mr. 
Stetson ! ” she cried, “ you do not know what you are 
saying. I could never be happy knowing that I had 
•caused you one moment’s unhappiness. What do I not 
-owe you? I feel that though I sacrificed my life for you, 
I could not repay the debt of gratitude this family owes 
the one who has been our truest and best friend.” , ' 

“ Mr. Stetson, let me say a word or two,” said Wiljie 
iSprague. “ I would not rob you of your greatest treasure, 


86 


From Out The Shadows, 


though I gained the whole world. I love Kittie Lee, and 
no doubt you love her equally as much, therefore I am 
willing that you should keep her, for I know that you 
will be a devoted friend and husband, and I am perfectly 
willing to trust her to your devotion and care.” 

“Mr. Sprague,” said the noble young man, “it is quite 
useless to urge me on this subject. As you say, I do love 
Kittie. God knows how much ; but do you think for one 
moment I could exist day after day knowing that her 
thoughts were on you, which I know she could not help,, 
let her try all she would? I love her too well for that.. 
No; you must take her, and God de^ with you as you 
deal with her.”--^ p ^ x. 

Imagine, reader, if you can, the picture presented by 
these three who were struggling each one to do their 
duty. How few of us realize how many aching hearts 
are around us everywhere; hearts that are suffering in 
silence, and we laugh and jest unmindful of the sorrows- 
of others. I have met many and many just such charac-^ 
ters as Mr. Stetson — people who were never appreciated 
— and yet they go through the world doing a great deal 
of good, and no one ever hears them spoken of in the 
light of Christians, which indeed- they truly are. 

Matters were settled at last, and preparations went bn 
for the wedding without any interruptions. The day 
dawned on which Kittie Lee and Eddie Sprague were to 
realize their fondest hopes. Eddie preferred being 


From Out The Shadows. 


87 


married in church, but Mrs. Lee felt that they had all 
endured so much sorrow and that so many unpleasant 
circumstances were connected with this marriage, that 
she would rather no strangers intrude themselves to share* 
the happiness of her one treasure. 

“ Mr. Sprague,” said Mrs. Lee, when folding her 
daughter to her heart for the last time, “I place within 
your keeping the dearest treasure of a mother’s heart. 
What this girl has been to me, none knows better than 
you. Shield her from all the stormy winds of life, and if 
possible, never let her miss her mother’s tender love. 
She is the most sacred gift a mother ever yielded to the 
keeping of another,” and placing her in Eddie’s arms she 
continued, “Take her, she is yours. Mine she has been 
in her helpless infancy, and now in her sweet burst of 
womanhood she belongs to her husband. Kiss me, dear, 
and remember that so long as life lasts you must both be 
a comfort to one another.” 

“ Mother,” said Kittie, “ to many girls this would be 
the happiest moment of thdr lives, but to me it is the 
saddest. I shall always feel that I am still your own 
child. I love Eddie; but there is no love like mother 
love; no love so lasting and true; it stands every tempest, 
it weathers every storm; no matter what fate has in store, 
a mother’s sheltering arms are always open to receive a 
wayward child.” 


88 


From Out The Shadozvs. 


“Mrs. Lee,” said Eddie, “I accept this gift from a 
mother’s hand, and I can fully, appreciate how reluctantly 
you place her in the keeping of another. Your love is 
tried and true, and I feel that come what will, my love 
has stood the test of years.” 

“ Yes,” said Mr. Lee, speaking for the first time, “ I am 
very sure you will know how to appreciate such a gift; 
but should the day come, when your love fails, as they 
sometimes do, or if heaven should deprive her of a 
husband’s care, she will find a home in our hearts, just 
as she leaves it to-day. God bless you, my children. 
Now go where Mr. Mortimer waits to bind together the 
two lives whose paths have been so far apart.” 

I doubt if ever a marriage was solemnized under more 
auspicious workings* of fate than this one. Kittie was 
very pale and made her responses in trembling tones, 
but Eddie’s voice was firm, and with great pride he pro- 
nounced these words after the beautiful Episcopal service : 
“I, Edgar Sprague, take thee, Kittie Lee, to be my 
lawful wife, and with my worldly good's I thee endow.” 
Mr. Mortimer, who had been a sincere friend to Mrs. 
Lee’s family, and who had known Kittie from childhood, 
could not refrain from speaking a few words of praise to 
the husband, and after a short prayer commending them 
both to the care of our Father, he left with many good 
wishes for their future happiness. 


From Out The Shadows. 


89 

Mr. Stetson, although he loved the sweet bride, did not 
fail to form one of the few who came to see the happy 
consumation of these two lives, who had been tossed 
upon the rough waves of adversity. No one to see him 
would think for one moment that his had been the hand 
to yield up his very dearest hopes to another. His was 
the brightest face; his the merriest laugh of all; but two 
there were who knew full well that those smiles were 
forced; that by almost superhuman strength did he con- 
quer his feeling, and for the sake of others appear 
indifferent to what was going on. Mr. Stetson was one 
of a large family of children, and his early teachings were 
of the best and most holy. ' His father was an Episcopal 
minister, therefore the influence under which he was 
raised was of the best. His mother, a sweet, gentle 
woman, whose heart was always open to sympathy, and 
whose ear was always listening for the good of others, 
had by devotion and patience been rew^ded with a 
family of dutiful and home-loving children. | He lived for 
the good of those around him, and when quite a boy 
determined that the world should be the better for his 
having lived in it. Would we could all say the same of 
ourselves, that when we come to lay down the burden of 
life that we could feel satisfied with our past, and know 
that our lives had not been in vain.^" 

Mr. Sprague was almost the opposite of Mr. Stetson in 
a great many ways. He was naturally selfish and 


90 


From Out The Shadows, 


jealous, and felt that what was his must be his, and he 
therefore made fewer friends; but he was honorable and 
upright in all his dealings. A man of superior business- 
ability, and one who could plead a case equal to any 
lawyer of the present day, he stood among the first, 
recognized by his fellow lawyers as a man quite capable 
of giving advice, and when any very complicated affair 
needed looking into he was generally consulted in prefer^ 
ence to any one else. His troubles had made him a 
premature old man. His hair was streaked with gray^ 
and his appearance indicated a man much older than he 
really was. But now the past is gone forever. The 
clouds have all cleared away from his life, and the sun- 
shine of happiness pours its gilded rays over his once 
darkened pathway. Kittie too is happy, and were it not 
for the one haunting thought, that her happiness was 
gained through the sacrifice of a faithful friend, she could 
never know one moment of sorrow. Remorse would be 
a stranger to her sweet heart. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lee missed the dear girl, who had gone 
out of their lives, but their cup of joy was full, and life 
held a charm for them that nothing could ever chase 
away; and never since his return from prison had he ever 
for one momemt felt otherwise than thankful that his dear 
wife had been spared to brighten his few remaining 
years. 


From Out The Shadows. 


91 

In a luxurious room that bespoke of wealth and taste, 
sat a sad-faced man with bowed head and aching heart. 
His thoughts were on the past, and memory held him 
captive. “Oh, Kittie!” he murmured; “none but God 
knows how hard it has been for me to give you up. No- 
one can ever take your place in my heart. I have tried 
by every possible means to overcome this great love, but 
I cannot. I must seek forgetfulness in other lands. 
There is too much here to remind me of the treasure I 
have lost. My life has hitherto been one continual ray of 
sunshine, and never again will the world seem so bright 
and full of joy. Oh! this haunting memory; it follows 
me everywhere, go where I will. I hear the sad, sad 
echo of ‘ lost,’ ‘ lost,’ constantly ringing in my ears. They 
call me happy, and so perhaps I might be, were it not for 
the memory of that pleasant dream, from which I cannot 
waken. I will take a trip abroad, and perhaps new 
scenes and new faces may help me to forget for a time at 
least. I can never, while life lasts, banish the happiness 
of those few months, and I would not, if I could, drive 
away from my heart the sweet image stamped upon its 
inmost recesses. Oh, love, my love, in the other world 
to come, where there is no marrying or giving in mar- 
riage. We shall meet, and never again can separation 
come to us in that far off land of joy and peace. Some- 
times in dreams a picture rises before me of a beautiful 
land in this great beyond, where angels sing the whole 
day long, and flowers bloom in perpetual sweetness, and 


92 


From Out The Shadows. 


I see two meet whose feet are shod with glory, meet and 
clasp hands in one eternal clasp, never more to part. 
Farewell beautiful dreams, never again must I listen to 
your sweet music. Not for me the happiness of a fireside 
where sits a loving wife; no little arms to enfold me, and 
call me father ; no none of these. I must henceforth be a 
wanderer among strangers.” 

So, reader, we leave them, and may joy attend their 
every movement, and blessings follow them to the end of 
life. 

To the sad-hearted wanderer, who tries to drown his 
thoughts in mingling with the world, we would ask the 
choicest blessings of Heaven, and a surcease from all his 

V 


.sorrows. 




TRIED BY FIRE. 

* ^ (S4< — 

//}r£ 

CHAPTER 1. — 

If the President sat beside me, 

I would laugh with usual glee; 

He might smile or frown upon me, 

Still I’d gay and happy be. 

Paul Clifford paused in his walk, as these words fell 
upon his ears in clear, bell-like tones. Presently their 
owner emerged from ’the tangled bushes, with her white 
dress gathered up child-fashion and filled with wild flow- 
ers of every description. Never had his artist eyes gazed 
upon so lovely a picture as this. His first thought was, 
that some fairy had wandered from fairy-land, and was 
gathering flowers in the beautiful woods of Fairview. 

Let me describe her, as he first saw her, in all her 
innocence and beauty, for never again will human eyes 
gaze upon her, untouched by the blighting influence of 
man. Let me paint her picture, as Paul Clifford painted 
it, on that bright, fine morning. Imagine a small child of 
fifteen, with golden hair, eyes of purple blue, skin of 
infantile purity and whiteness. Clad in a dress of some 


96 


Tried By Fire, ^ 


soft white fabric, with a large wide-brimmed hat, almost 
covered with wild flowers; her hair escaping from beneath 
in wild, curly confusion. As soon as her eyes rested 
upon the stranger, she dropped her dress, and the flowers 
lay in one mass at her feet, making a cushion of brilliant 
hues, which emitted an odor of sweetest wild flowers. 
She was a beautiful picture herself; a true child of nature; 
innocent as a baby and knowing nothing of the world, 
beyond birds and butterflies. “ Oh, my !” she exclaimed, 
in her childish way; “how you frightened me. I thought 
at first it might be a bear.” 

“ I am very sorry, little one, but ^^our song attracted me 
first, and now I am held spellbound by the fair singer 
herself. Who are you, and where do you come from? 
I thought at first that you were a fairy, but now I am 
convinced that you are not, for fairies have wings, and 
you have none.” 

Her laugh rang loud and clear, and echoed and rever- 
berated through the woods, until Paul himself laughed at 
its merry sound. 

“ Oh, dear, no ! I am no fairy; although papa often 
says that I am a gift from heaven.” 

Paul smiled at the innocent remark. “ Will you stand 
still a few moments and let me sketch you, just as you 
are?” 


“What ! Make a picture of me?” 


T7‘ied By Fire, 


91 


“ Certainly. Now keep that position a little while, and 
in a few days you will see yourself in a beautiful picture.” 
So they chatted on, and very soon he had outlined the 
fair form, who had stolen his heart, and held him captive 
' in Cupid’s net. 

“ Would you mind telling me your name, Cupid?” 

“ My name is Violet Brandon, and I live just outside 
the wood, and every day I come to gather flowers. I 
love them dearly. I talk and sing to the birds, and I 
know, that every day they wait for me. Mamma loves 
flowers, and I give her fresh ones every day. We have 
plenty of them at home, but their fragrance is not half so 
sweet as these. Besides, I enjoy gathering them, for then 
I have great races with the squirrels and chipmunks.” 

Paul Clifford was a bad man, and before he left this 
innocent child, he had vowed to win her young heart, and 
if possible take her back to the great city of New York 
with him when the summer ended, and his sketching tour 
was over. 

“ Violet,” he said, after chatting with her and listening 
to her odd speeches. “ Do not mention to any one that 
you saw me here, or that I have sketched your picture, 
and some day I will tell you all about New York.” 

“Why, can’t I tell mamma? I always tell her every- 
thing.” 

“No. It would not be best in this case. Besides, she 
' would not let you come to the woods again, and I should 
feel very sad not to see my little new-found friend again. 


V 


p8 Tried By Fire, 

But dear, we have forgotten to name our picture. What 
shall we call it?” 

‘‘ I am sure I have never named a picture in my life. 
What do you think would be best?” 

“ I think I shall call it an escaped fairy. Does that suit 
you?” 

“ Oh, yes ! Anything will do.” 

“ Oh, you don’t know how delighted I am, to think that 
I am a picture. But,” and she stopped short in her joy, 
as though the pleasure of acquainting her mother^ with 
the joyful news that she was in a picture, would greatly 
add to her happiness. 

“ Mamma would be so glad,” she said in her childish 
way, “ to think that she could see her little girl’s own 
face hung up in a beautiful frame of gold, and when I am 
gone from her side, she would not be half so lonely.” 

“ W ell, Violet,” said the wiley villain. “We will tell 
her bye and bye; but just now we will keep this joy to 
ourselves. I will be here to-morrow, and do not fail to 
be here, for if I should come and not find you here, I 
should miss the sweetest flower and the most beautiful 
bird of all, in these beautiful woods. Good-bye, for 
to-day, little friend, and don’t forget.” 

After she was gone, it seemed to him she had carried 
all the brightness of the world with her. Unprincipled 
man, as he was, he felt uneasy ; but, laying aside the 
gentle admonitions of conscience, he vowed to win this 
wild prairie flower and transplant it in a bower of his own. 


Tried By Fire. 


99 


Is it not terrible to think for one moment that such men 
■ are allowed to go free and unpunished ? They are with 
us, in all the walks of life. They go about like roaring 
-lions, “seeking whom they may devour.” We find them 
everywhere, of all ages and positions. 

The summer months passed, and Paul Clifford still 
lingered. He determined to take this child of nature, as 
. he called her, with him ; and so he planned, and planned, 
and at last concluded to win her consent to a private mar- 
riage, for, villain as he was, he would not ruin her out 
and out, without first endeavoring to gain her consent to 
what she would think, was a legal marriage. 

Violet Brandon was very childish and innocent, but 
she had inherited her father’s principles of honor and 
integrity, and though a child in years, she shrank from 
- anything false and underhanded. But, put a child into 
the hands of an accomplished villain, and nothing can save 
-her. 

“ Violet,” he said one day (when he was sure she loved 
him ) , “ what would you say, if I told you that I was 
going away?” 

Her blue eyes were raised to his, in astonishment. 

“ I do not know,” she said, despairingly ; “ I have not 
thought of your going away. I am sure I would die.” 

“ Do you love me, little one, so very much?” 

“ Yes,” was the innocent reply; “I have never loved 
-any one but papa and mamma, until I saw you ; and it is 
mot the same love, for when I am away from you, I seem 


lOO 


Tried By Fire. 


to walk in darkness. The flowers do not smell so sweety 
or the birds sing so merrily. I cannot bear to think that 
you should go away, even for a day.” 

“Yes, but this parting would not be for a day, it would 
be forever. You v/ould never see me again, Violet.” 

Her lips trembled, her eyes were filled with tears, and 
choking back her sobs, she cried : 

“Oh, Paul ! I cannot let you go. P could not live i£ 
you were gone out of my life.” 

“ But, dear, you can go with me, as my wife.” 

“Your wife? Oh, I had not thought of that.” 

“Yes; we can have the ceremony performed before 
we go. I have a friend who is a clergyman, and we will 
have him meet us anywhere you may suggest, and then 
we will go to New York, and bye and bye we will come 
back to see papa and mamma. What do you think, dar- 
ling?” And, folding her in his arms caressed and petted 
her, until the child was almost intoxicated with love and 
happiness. 

The days passed away, and Paul Clifford knew that 
when next he returned to his home, that sweet, innocent 
Violet Brandon would be his companion. Not one word 
had this child breathed to her parents of the terrible cloud 
soon to burst upon their home; of the snake slowly and 
surely creeping into their very hearts. Oh, who will 
save her? Who will warn her of the life to come? Alas!’ 
no one, for she has taken her first lesson in the art of 
deception. Heaven help the child who falls into the 


Tried By Fire. 


lOI 


liands of a villain. It is an easy thing to learn deception. 
It requires no very long hours of study. No, it cqmes 
without any labor. Oh, if some good angel would only 
hold us back when we would rush headlong into the abyss 
of self-destruction ! But no, we go on, deeper and deeper, 
until, without the least warning, we have sunk down into 
depths, until we cannot rise again, and when it is too late, 
we find our terrible mistake. 

Poor Violet, who had never known what it was to 
•conceal anything from her mother, thought many times, 
how much she would love to tell her, and let her share 
her happiness. Tell her of this beautiful love that had 
taken such a strong hold in her heart. Of the handsome 
lover, who by his smooth tongue, and smoother ways, 
had crept into her heart, and wiled her from home, love 
and duty. Oh, how she longed to show him to her 
father, and hear him praise his handsome face and pol- 
ished manners. But no; if she did so, he would go away 
and she would never see him again ; never hear the music 
•of his voice ; never feel the warm kiss of those lips upon 
her own. Oh, what would life be without him? She 
must waken some morning to know, that never again 
would this home she loved so well, be hers. She must 
go out into the broad world and have him to lean upon, 
and as she supposed in her inmost heart, that he would 
iill the place of father and mother to her; for, had he not 
told her, that henceforth he would be all in all to her? 


102 


Tried By Fire. 


Told her how his only pleasure in life would be to minis- - 
ter to her wants and wishes? No wish should be ungrat- 
ified. No matter what the desire of her heart should be,, 
it should be granted. She should reign queen of his 
heart and home. He pictured to her unsuspecting heart 
the most beautiful scenes in glowing colors such as her 
young eyes had never gazed upon. Worked upon her 
imagination, until the poor child grew wild with anticipa- 
tion. She imagined that the world he lived in, must be 
something like Heaven. Never had lover wooed with, 
such artful, subtle power, until in one fatal moment, she 
consented to a clandestine marriage; and so, when the 
beautiful September sun was shining brightest; when the 
earth began to don its autumn robes, she managed, with 
his wise manoeuvring, to meet him at a certain time and. 
place, where, with a clergyman, as she supposed, she 
became his wife. Her face was very white, her lips a 
livid blue, and in trembling tones, with scarcely an audible • 
voice, she spoke the words, that henceforth would be as 
burning coals of fire in her innocent mouth. Better, far 
better, had God in His mercy, taken her and borne her 
sweet spirit to His Heavenly home ere the blight had 
come upon her. As the last words were said he clasped 
her to his heart, and in loving tones told her that now she 
was his own ; that no one but himself had any claim on 
her sweet life. She was nearer to him now than father 
or mother. Reader, you and I know better. We who > 
are better versed in the ways of the world know that this.. 


Tried By Fire. 


103 


was only the beginning of sorrow. ” Many and many a 
time in after years, did she regret this day, on which she 
left her home, to follow one of the vilest villians the sun 
ever shone upon. 

“ Oh, Paul ! she cried, with tears streaming down her 
lovely cheeks, “ how shall I manage to escape from them 
all?” 

“ Never mind, darling ! When to-morrow’s sun is 
brightest, meet me in the old wood. Bring nothing with 
you. I shall supply everything needful for our journey, 
for we are going on a long tour. We shall see sights 
you never dreamed of, pet; wonders you cannot even 
imagine. We will go to Italy, and watch the beautiful 
sun set in all its glory; climb the grand old mountains of 
Switzerland, and go to the land of love and happiness. 
Then, when I have shown you the beauties of the old 
world, we will come back, and in a home of our own, we 
can live and love, and pass the time in sweetest dreams of 
realized happiness. Oh, man of the world ! Have you 
no conscience? No remembrance of a mother or sister? 
Does not the awful crime you are committing, stare you 
in the face like ten thousand devils? Bad as he was, he 
really loved her; was madly infatuated with her beauty, 
and vowed that this love would never leave him. He 
had loved before, many times, but this love was greater 
than all other loves. Besides, she was so young, so con- 
fiding, and, best of all, she loved him devotedly. This 
beautiful creature. He would teach her at his will; would 


104 Tried By Fire* 

teach her to receive him with love, only love. Thus he 
thought as he would gaze upon her lovely face. 

The day came; the dreaded, yet looked for day, and 
Violet prepared to meet her husband. How lovingly she 
clasped her arms around her father and mother’s neck, 
vowing that as soon as she returned from her foreign 
trip, she would fly back to the old home, where her child- 
hood had been passed in perfect happiness; back to those 
unsuspecting loved ones, who little dreamed that those 
ardent kisses were the farewell kisses of their only child; 
that when they saw her again, her eye would not be so 
bright, the color of health will have faded from cheek 
and brow, and she will have fully realized the dream of 
life. 


CHAPTER II. 

Tea was waiting in a home where all was confusion 
and bustle. Every member of the household was run- 
ning here and there, and at every turn the question 
asked : “ Where is Violet ? ” But no one knew. “ I 
am sure,” said John, the hired man, “ that I saw her going 
to the woods. She has spent nearly all her time there 
during the summer months, but now the flowers are gone 
I cannot see what would take her there so often.” 

“ Oh ! husband ! ” cried the distracted mother, “ what 
has become of our darling ? lam sure no wild beast has 


Tried By Fire. 


105 


devoured her, for there are none in our woods. She cer- 
tainly has not fallen asleep, for it is getting late, and she 
never lingers after night-fall. Oh! Violet, my baby, 
where are you ? ” 

“ Do not distress yourself, wife,” said the father, with 
moistened eyes, “ she will come back soon.” 

“Yes,” said John, trying in his rough way to soothe 
and comfort the poor mother, “ she has not gone far ; 
she would not stray into danger, and besides, she knows 
you will all be anxious about her.” 

“ Come, Mrs. Brandon,” said the kind housekeeper 
Mrs. Rogers, “ do try to eat a little, and perhaps by that 
time we shall hear her coming, and singing as she always 
does.” 

But never again will those walls echo the sound of her 
voice ; never again her well known step sound along the 
walk. The sunshine of that home is darkened by the 
hand of a villain. 

In a short time most of the neighbors had joined in the 
;search, and all through the long night lanterns could be 
.^een flitting everywhere through the trees of Fairview ; 
but when morning came no tidings of the lost girl were 
heard. Days passed ; weeks rolled into months, and 
still she came not to ease those anxious hearts. Every 
thing was changed now ; where once was joy and happi- 
ness, now all was dark despair. It was worse than 
death, this hopeless longing, worse than death, for when- 
■ever loved ones die we bury them out of sight, kneel by 


io6 Tried By Fire. 

their graves and mourn ; but gone from them, without 
one parting word to tell them whither she had gone, was* 
grief beyond control. 

David Brandon was a wealthy man, and had retired 
from business. He bought a large tract of land and built 
himself a lovely home, near a large piece of timber, and 
had settled down to enjoy the money he had worked, 
hard to obtain. Violet was their only child, and was 
reared very tenderly. No parents ever loved a child 
more dearly, and no child ever rewarded parents with 
such perfect love and devotion. She could not be spoiled;, 
it was not in her nature. She was simply perfect in. 
every way; beautiful as a dream, with a mind and intel- 
lect of the highest order, based upon true principle, and 
with high regard for truth. What a pity she should 
have fallen into the hands of a villian. Time passed on. 
No tidings came of their lost treasure. Still hope lived, 
on day after day, until at last it became a settled fact that 
she could only be to them as the memory of some sweet 
face we see in dreams. Advert sements were put n all 
the papers, and Mr. Brandon had spent thousands ’of dol- 
lars in trying to find some little clue, but in vain. 

As Paul Clifford was not known by his own name, he 
could not in any way be associated with the departure of' 
Violet Brandon. People at the railway station spoke of 
a lady thickly veiled, who was seen entering the train for 
New York, but not seeing her face, could not identify the 
person. It was the most smoothly concocted plan that 


Tried By Fire. 


107 


ever was thought of; stealing a child from her home m 
the very face of those who knew her best. How they 
contrived to meet day after day, without betraying them- 
selves, was very mysterious; but the fates were propi- 
tious, and once again, the man of many sins, had gained 
one more of his many points. 

They traveled through Europe and stopped at every 
place of any note, and Violet was so bewildered and 
delighted, that with his love and kindness, she found little 
time to think of those she had left behind. He paid her 
every attention, bought her every thing that pleased her 
fancy, and by his clever ingenuity kept her mind from 
dwelling on her home. Still home-ties were too dear to* 
her, to forget them entirely, and many times her dear 
mother’s face rose up before her, and unconsciously she 
would drop a tear, for that home where she had never 
known aught but love and kindness. 

Two years passed quickly, and life seemed only a. “ 
pleasant dream to Violet. They now returned to New 
York, and Paul prepared a home on one of the fashion- 
able streets; a home where luxury and comfort abounded 
in the extreme. Nothing was lacking. Flowers were 
plentiful, for Violet loved them, and she must enjoy 
whatever she loved; no matter what the cost, her wishes 
must be gratified. We will give Paul some credit; let 
him be ever so bad, he had his redeeming faults, like all- 
men of his class. He really loved the sweet girl, in his. . 
own impetuous way, but love to a man of the world, is. 


Tried By Fire, 


108 

not the sweet, pure love of honorable men; not the love 
that ennobles and elevates a man of principle, but the love 
•of a natural born libertine, that is born of passion and 
low desires. He loved her because she was beautiful; 
because she pleased his fancy, and he knew that other 
men looked upon her with envious eyes; but in her great 
love for him, she had thought of no one else. He was 
her idol, her all. He never left her for any length of 
time, but when he was away, her thoughts were con- 
stantly of him, and the knowledge that he loved her, was 
.all the happiness she craved. She never thought of the 
future; it was as a sealed book to her, and never for one 
moment did she ever think what the morrow would bring 
forth. Well for us all, that the future lies hidden from 
us. Well that we do not see what is in store for us; see 
the sorrow waiting for some of us. We would never 
waste our time in wishing for the impossible. Ah, no ! 
We would lead far different lives, and prepare ourselves 
for that which is to come. 

Three more years passed into oblivion; three years of 
unalloyed happiness, and still Violet had never returned 
to Fairview, as she anticipated, when she left. When- 
ever she mentioned it to Paul, he always found some 
excuse whereby to divert her mind from the subject, and 
with the help of some friend of his, managed to send her 
.a letter telling her that some terrible fever had carried 
both her parents away. Her grief was terrible, and not 
•all Paul’s love could soothe her broken heart. She mur- 


Tried By Fire. 


109. 

mured as one without hope, and blamed herself that she 
had not returned to her home as soon as she returned 
from her long trip. But, they were both gone now, and 
she had no comfort, but memory. 

Scarcely anyone would know Violet now. Travel and 
time had worked wonders. She had grown into a beau- 
tiful woman; had become a fine musician, and her voice 
was something marvellous in quality and strength. No 
public singer could execute such trills, or warble in such 
bird-like tones. She would often say to Paul, that if she 
were to choose a profession, she would like to be queen 
of the operatic stage ; and well she might say so, for 
her beauty and gift of voice would rival the world. 
Wherever she went, she was the acknowledged queen of 
beauty. Paul was very proud of his lovely wife, and it 
pleased him to hear her called beautiful. Her manners 
were very attractive, and no one who saw her could say 
but that she was the most perfect woman in the world. 

Six years after marriage, a little girl was born to them, 
and Paul felt that he was indeed a happy man. “ Oh, 
Paul !” Violet would say, “look at her; she has your 
eyes, and I am so glad, for when you are away, all I have 
to comfort me, will be to look into them and I shall see 
you reflected there.” 

The little child grew and throve. She gave great 
promise of beauty, and Violet was more than pleased with 
her lot in life. But Paul seemed to find more business 


:iio 


Tried By Fire. 


now to take him away from home, and Violet wondered 
why it was, that he did not seem so loving. All at once 
he ceased in his ardent caresses, and was thoughtful, and 
many times a look of sadness crept into his face. 

“ Why is it, Paul?” she would often ask him. “Won’t 
you tell me what is troubling you?” 

“ Nothing, Violet; nothing but business.” 

But he began to remain away from home, for days at 
a time, and his constant excuse was, business. 

Violet, who never knew a care, began to feel what it 
was, to learn the great lesson of self-reliance. Paul had 
become quite fretful, and on one or two occasions spoke 
Tiarshly to the sweet, gentle girl, who was always willing 
to frame some excuse for the man, who, unbeknown to 
her, was beginning to tire of his home and its inmates. 
Step by step, he was weaning away from thenr, and now 
whole months would pass, without one word from him. 
False and fickle to the core, he had tired of her love, and 
was seeking new victims. He plunged once more into 
society and became a great lion among the ladies. One 
young lady, a Southern belle, seemed to have thrown a 
charm about him, and held him captive in its meshes. 
She was just the opposite to Violet, with dark, passionate 
beauty. Tall, well-formed, and was a woman born to 
•command; one who would hold sway over her subjects; 
a woman who without effort could carry an audience, as 
very few women can. Paul reasoned to himself, that 


Tried By Fire. 


1 1 1 


Violet would suffer for a time, but she is young and will 
soon forget it; and besides, she will find other loves; 
woman don’t grieve long. Undoubtedly someone will 
soon pick her up. I will provide handsomely for her and 
the child; I am sure I cannot do less. After all, Violet is 
.a sweet little thing; so loving and patient; but then a man 
can’t always be tied to one woman. Heavens^ won’t she 
fume, when she finds out about the old folks? I think I 
will write her a long letter, and tell her the truth of every- 
thing. So saying, he sat down and wrote her a letter, 
telling her how his friend had impersonated a minister, 
and that he had provided for her and the child, and 
dosed by saying he hoped she would try to forget him, 
and above all, to lead a good life, and bring up the little 
■one to think that its father was dead. 

Paul Clifford had been gone from home several weeks, 
when Violet as usual stood at the window, watching the 
letter carrier with anxious beating heart. ‘‘ I wonder 
will he stop? ” Poor child ! how changed she had grown 
-in a few short weeks ! Her heart gave a great bound as 
^he saw him turn toward the house. She could not wait 
for the servant to open the door, but ran out in her joy. 
Ah ! at last she recognized the well-known handwriting, 

. and in her great happiness kissed the letters his dear 
hands had formed. “ Dear, dear Paul, he has not quite 
forgotten me,” and hastily going to the privacy of her 
own chamber she eagerly began to devour its contents — 
part of which ran thus : 


II2 


Tried By Fire. 


“Dear Violet — 

“ Undoubtedly you will be surprised when you receive 
this letter. You have always considered • yourself my 
wife, but dear, the ceremony was all a farce. A young 
friend of mine acted the part of a minister, and we carried 
out our plans so well that your innocent heart believed it 
all. I am sorry for your sake and the child’s, but such 
occurrences are very common in the world. I have pro- 
vided handsomely for you and the child, so you can live 
in comfort. I did love you and do yet, but in this coun- 
try, men soon tire of their own lawful wives, and very 
often leave them without means of support, which I could 
not do. Good bye, and God bless you. 

Paul.” 

That was all ! and yet it spoke volumes to the poor 
stricken girl. 

“ My God ! am I in my right senses ? Surely this let- 
ter is not for me ! but yes, it is addressed to Violet Clif- 
ford ; and where is the unfortunate woman who bears 
that name ? Not his wife ? Then Oh! Heaven! what 
am I ? And you, my baby, what are you ? ” She 
seemed turned to a fiend, in those few minutes. Years 
had been added to her age, and she was no longer the 
sweet, gentle girl, full of love and sympathy. “ Does he 
think to put me off in this manner?” she cried, her faee 
growing whiter and whiter. “He thinks I am yet a 
child, and don’t know the way of the world; but Paul 
Clifford, beware. “There is no fury like a woman 
scorned.” I love ^mu, the good father above knows; but 
from this moment, I will work a terrible vengeance 


Tried By Fire. 


113 

against you. You have provided for me and the child ! 
I would sooner die than eat one crust of bread your 
money had purchased.” Going to the nursery she dis- 
missed the nurse, and locking the door she took her child 
in her arms, and kneeling beside its little crib, prayed 
God to guide and help her. “ Oh, my poor, poor unfor- 
tunate baby, we must leave this house at once. His roof 
shall not shelter us any longer. You and I will go out 
into the world. Oh, father, mother, do you look down 
upon your unfortunate daughter, and forgive her? It 
was not my fault. I did not know. I would not have 
committed so black a crime as this.” 

Violet was a brave girl; she did not give up in despair, 
as many would have done in her place. Not she. She 
gathered her clothing and valuables, and taking her child, 
who was now some eighteen months old, she started 
forth to brave the world alone; she who had been reared 
in luxury, and since first meeting Paul Clifford, had never 
had one wish ungratified. Did she sit down in despair 
and wring her hands, and mourn her unhappy lot? Not 
she. She determined to use her talents, and, if possible, 
make atonement for her great sin. 


Tried By Fire, 


114 


CHAPTER III. 

In a fashionable boarding house, among the upper ten 
of New York, in an elegantly appointed room, sits a 
woman whose face wears a look of sadness. Beautiful 
beyond a dream, and moulded as perfectly as though her 
form had been cast in wax. Beside her, on the little 
rosewood table is a box of letters, some pictures, and little 
souveniers of perhaps other days. One, the picture of a 
gentleman in the prime .of life, wearing the uniform of a 
lieutenant, with dark wavy hair, brown eyes, and a heavy 
dark moustache, beneath which peeped a pair of perfect 
lips. A face once seen, never forgotten. The eyes, as 
one gazed into them, were large, and sparkling with 
merriment. 

The lady gazed long and earnestly at that face, and 
tears were slowly trickling down her cheeks. While 
thus engaged, a rap came at the door,^and quickly throw- 
ing a handkerchief over her treasures, she bade the 
intruder enter, and raising her eyes, saw what seemed to 
her, a young and beautiful girl, with short hair that clus- 
tered around a small head of perfect shape and size, large 
blue eyes, and skin of pure ivory whiteness. 

“Are you Madame Millard?” came in low, musical 
tones, from between two ripe lips, whose sweetness one 
could almost taste. 

“I am,” said the astonished lad}^ 


Tried By Fire, 


115 

“ I am the party who applied to you for a position as 
companion and maid.” 

“ Have a seat, dear,” said the great songstress, in her 
own peculiar musical tones. “I am quite upset this 
morning. In looking over some trunks, I came across 
some little articles which I have not seen for some time, 
and the sight of them has opened a wound in my heart, 
which can never heal over.” Her voice was trembling 
and her eyes were full of unshed tears, as she continued, 
“ I am afraid your life would not be a happy one with 
me. Mine is so sad, and filled with bitter regrets. Your 
young heart I am sure, has never been touched by sorrow, 
and it would be a pity to cast a shadow over it now, 
when life is all beauty and brightness. Your duties with 
me would be very light. What I require most, is one to 
be constantly with me ; to bear with my weakness, and 
help me, if possible, to forget the past. Could you do 
that?” 

“ I do no say that I could make you forget ; but I will 
do my best,” and her voice was full of tender sympathy. 

“ You are very young, my child,” said the sweet song- 
stress, “ yet your voice has a ring of sadness in it, quite 
foreign to one of your years. There are certainly tears 
in your voice, and if I mistake not, they speak of suffer- 
ing.” 

“ Sweet lady, I can tell you nothing of my past, at 
present; but if you choose to engage me, I am sure I will 
never cast one cloud upon your life. I would not add 


ii6 


Tried By Fire. 


one tear to your poor weeping eyes. No, I will be a 
tender, loving sister to you, for I am sure I would love 
3’’ou. In fact I know I should. I have no one in this 
world who belongs to me, excepting a little child whom I 
love better than my own life, but who is not with me at 
present.” 

The sweet lady whose voice drew hundreds of people 
nightly, and at whose homage the world bowed with 
bended knee; whose heart was closed to all suitors; who> 
refused all attention; felt drawn toward this lonely, home- 
less girl, who came to her a stranger, and whose very 
helplessness made her dear to that lonely, suffering 
woman. 

' “ I had forgotten to ask your name; in fact, forgot that 
you had one.” 

“You may call me Marie Lesher.” 

“ That is not a common name.” 

“ No, it is not,” said the fair applicant, “ and you will 
never hear any one enquire for that name while I am 
with you, for I have no one on earth who cares to claim 
me.” 

“Poor unfortunate child; I am your friend, and I 
believe you will prove a faithful one to me. Heaven has 
at last sent me one in whom I can place implicit confi- 
dence. I am a good reader of human nature, and very 
seldom make a mistake. Ah, Marie, my little friend, the 
world is full of deceit, and when those we have trusted 
most, fail to prove themselves worthy our trust, then 


Tried By Tire. 


117 

mdeed we lose confidence in all mankind. Do you wish 
to remain to-day, Marie? or when do you wish to assume 
your new duties?” 

“ I can commence at once, Madame. I will send for 
my trunks, and then settle down to business.” 

So, suiting the action to the words, she dispatched a 
messenger to the plain, unpretentious home she had left, 
and before many hours was at last with one whom she 
knew was like herself, a sufferer at the hands of some 
cowardly villain. 

Let us describe this woman, whose name is on every 
lip; whose fame has spread from one continent to another; 
whose marvelous voice had penetrated into the hearts of 
all men. She was born in Southern France, inherited 
the gift of a warm, loving heart, and her worse fault was a 
beautiful face. Heaven had been more than kind to her, 
and* endowed her with a rare beauty. Men crowded 
the theatre to get a look at her face, and hear her voice, 
which was noted, more for its sweetness, than power. 
She held them spellbound, and many bolder than the rest, 
had asked for an interview. But, had they asked for a 
ghmpse of heaven, it would have been received as quickly 
as they were by her. She refused attention from both 
male and female admirers. She never spoke to anyope 
except on business, and had she been a recluse could not 
have been more secluded from contact with the world. 
And why? Her perfidy of men had placed her where 
she was. She had loved and been deceived by the very 


ii8 Tried By Fire. 

man whose name she bore. The man who had vowed 
to protect her from the whole world; and yet she loved 
him. She had married him when they were both very 
young; but he was a lieutenant in the French army, con- 
sequently was away from home the greater part of the 
time. As he grew older, he became careless and reck- 
less, cared nothing for his good name, and at last became 
a deserter and fled to America, and the last she heard, he 
had been shot in some gambling den, by a man whose 
money he had won by some unfair means. Day after 
day she mourned him, until life grew to be a burden, and 
had it not been for her voice, she would have buried her- 
self in some convent; but she felt that her voice belonged 
to the world, and when she received storms of applause, 
she thanked the Giver of all good, that she could contrib- 
ute something to the happiness of her fellow-beings. To 
this woman came Violet Brandon, in answer to a note she 
had inserted in the many papers. 

She had placed her child under the care of a worthy 
old couple who had never known the love of little chil- 
dren, and who were eager to receive this beautiful child, 
who had inherited the beauty of both parents. Violet did 
not wish Paul Clifford to hear of her, consequently had 
given a fictitious name to her new-found friend, but deter- 
mined in her own mind, to some day tell her all. 

These two, whom fate had thrown together, and who 
had suffered and sorrowed, seemed very near to each 
other in many ways. 


Tried By Fire. 


119 


Marie, (as we must now caliber) had been with Mad- 
ame Millard but a short time, when that lady discovered 
that the girl had a great deal of hidden talent, and deter- 
mined to give to the world a woman who was even 
greater than herself. 

One day when they were seated alone, a card was 
handed Madame, which bore the name of 'Paul Clifford. 
“ Ah,” said she; ‘‘see the impudence of these men. Here 
is one Who has been very persistent in his attentions. I 
have refused to receive him several times, and still he 
will not brook denial. See Marie ! Read his card; it 
has the dash of a bold, bad man.” 

As Marie glanced at the well-known handwriting, she 
turned very pale, and had it not been for the timely rescue 
of Madame, would have fallen to the floor. 

“ My child !” exclaimed Madame. “ What do you 
know of this Paul Clifford?” 

“ Ah, Madame, what do I not know, of this bad 
man?” 

“ Poor, poor child ! I see. Now I know. He is the 
wretch who has made your life so miserable. God help 
him. I only wish he could suffer half what you have 
suffered. Tell him,” she said to the servant who was 
waiting, “that I do not receive the favors of miscreants 
and libertines. That when Iso far forget myself as to 
entertain a destroyer of homes and virtue, then, and then 
only, will I consent to see Monsieur Paul Clifford.” 


120 


Tried By Fire. 


“ Marie,” she exclaimed, “ my dear, dear friend, let us 
forget that we are not sisters ; let us feel that we are two 
sorrowing women thrown together by Providence to 
comfort each other. Tell me your story, dear. You 
already know mine, and it is but just and fair that we 
understand one another.” 

“ I do not know where to begin, Madame,” said Marie. 
‘‘ Mine is such a sad, sad story, and there is so much to 
tell. I can only say this of my younger years, that until 
I met Paul, I lived a life of perfect happiness. I cannot 
compare my life to anything but that of a butterfly. My 
home was near a large grove, and in summer time I 
passed almost my entire time among wild flowers and 
butterflies. Oh! how happy I was! Dear Madame, 
excuse my grief, but the floodgates of memory have been 
thrown wide open by this little piece of paste-board, 
which is worth far more than the man whose name it 
bears. My father and mother were very tender of their 
only child, and not even so much as a cloud the size of a 
man’s hand dared to darken my life. One day when I 
was gathering flowers, I was in wild glee ; my voice rose 
high in merry song — when suddenly I came across a 
man, who wished to sketch me just as I stood. You 
have seen the picture, Madame, and often asked me whose 
child it was, but I dared not tell you ; for it pained me to 
recall that day. From that time I met him daily, and I, 
in my innocenee, learned to love the viper with my whole 
heart and soul. I had never known what it was to de- 


Tried By Fire. 


I2I 


ceive my mother, and I feel that I am justly punished for 
my deception. He prevailed upon me to keep our meet- 
ings a secret, until he gave me permission to reveal it to 
my parents ; but days and weeks passed, and still my 
mother remained in ignorance of what was going on. 
Oh, how I wish I had told her at the very beginning, for I 
am sure that sin brings its own punishment. Madame, you 
would not have done as I did, nor any one else, I am sure.” 

“ Do not blame yourself, dear child,” said the sympa- 
thetic listener, “ many an older one than you has done far 
worse.” 

“Ah! but that does not excuse me. If the whole 
world steps aside, it is not necessary that I should do the 
.same. By dint of coaxing, he at last gained my consent 
to a secret marriage, and, Madame Millard, think of it, I 
left my home, left those nearest and dearest to me, to 
follow a man of whom I knew nothing. You will say 
perhaps, that my age was my excuse, but no, I knew 
better. A girl who has arrived at the age of reason 
knows when she is doing wrong ; there is no excuse for 
her. If I knew no wrong, then why did I not go at once 
to my mother, and place my arms around her neck, just 
as I always did ? but no, I listened to his' oily tongue, and 
made for myself a life of sorrow and shame. We trav- 
eled two years through Europe, and when we returned 
we settled here in New York in a lovely home, where I 
reigned queen supreme. Six years after marriage a dear 
little girl was born to me, and oh! dear friend, you do not 


122 


Tried By Fire. 


know the joy, the happiness that little thing brought withi 
her. I often thought to myself, ‘ this will not last ; I am 
too happy.’ And I was right. Baby was scarcely a year 
old when Paul began to absent himself from home for 
days ; then it grew to weeks ; and at last he sent me this 
letter. Here, Madame, read the miserable piece of paper 
which I always keep with me. It serves to strengthen 
me in my determination to seek revenge for my wrongs.. 
Is it not the act of a dastardly coward to take a young 
girl and dare to place her where the scorn of the world 
can crush her life ? I determined that I would not use 
his money, but I would use the talent God gave me, and 
I felt certain you would help me. Ah! dear lady, I have 
sat entranced listening to your beautiful voice, little dream- 
ing at that time, that some day you and I should meet. 
I thank Heaven that I have fallen into the hands of such 
a woman as you.” 

“Yes, dear,” said the kind adtress, “and I am more 
than thankful that you were sent to me. Your voice 
is far superior to mine, and you will yet be one of 
the greatest singers of the day. I will punish this wretch 
as he deserves. He is not fit to wander at large in this 
world, and yet I have met such men everywhere. They 
think, because I belong to the public, that I am open to 
insults, and have no respect or pride ; but indeed they 
very soon discover that although a woman is thrown upon 
the world, in public life, she well knows how to care for 
herself. You are very beautiful, my child, and there are 


Tried By Fire. 


123, 


thousands of snares and pitfalls for such as you, but I am 
sure you will never be caught by any of them, for your 
early disobedience has taught you the one great lesson of 
life. I have had sorrow, but mine is not of my own 
making. My husband loved me devotedly I know ; but 
it is man’s nature to be fickle. He was a lieutenant in 
the French army, but one unlucky day he deserted his 
post, and coming to America he spent his money in low 
gambling dens, until he began going from bad to worse. 
Finally, he was shot by some unfortunate whose money 
he won by unfair means. I have no heart, Marie. It is 
dead within my breast. I loved my dear Leo, and no 
other can ever awaken one thought of love or even sym- 
pathy. You and I, dear, ‘are bound together by the one 
great tie of sympathy, and we must live for e^^xh other. 
Some day, perhaps, when a good man seeks your favor^ 
you may possibly learn to love him.” 

“No, Madame,” said poor Violet, hysterically, “do not 
speak of love to me. It has ruined my life, and broken 
my father and mother’s hearts. I am sure that grief for 
their wayward child must have shortened their lives.” 

“ Dear Marie, let us drop this subject for to-day. Why 
sadden our lives by referring to that miserable past? Go 
now, dear, and leave me to collect my thoughts. Tell 
Katie to call me at five o’clock. Kiss me, darling ; there 
now, dry your tears — they are too precious to waste on 
a miserable wretch of a rnan, who is not fit to live.” 


124 


Tried By Fire. 


CHAPTER IV. 

Paul Clifford sat ajone in his room at the great hotel 
“ Fifth Avenue.” Wreaths of smoke were issuing from 
a fragrant Havana he held between his lips. His mind 
was running back to the days at Fairview, and he felt 
some regret at the manner in which he had treated Violet. 

“By Jove,” he thought, “I did love the little girl ; she 
was a sweet little fairy, but the world is full of them. I 
hope she has gotten over her grief — and the child — I 
loved that, too. Well, a fellow must have some little time 
in this world.” “ Hello, Clark,” he exclaimed, as the 
door opened to admit his churfl, “ what’s up ? ” 

“ Oh, nothing. I thought I would give you a call and 
see what you have in view for to-night. By-the-by, have 
you cards for the grand reception?” 

“ Indeed I have, and a special invitation from my lady, 
herself.” 

“Well then, of course we are going. I say, Clifford, 
you are a lucky dog with women. You had no trouble 
at all, with La belle Leighton. I tell you, she is a stun- 
ner. By-the-by, old boy, I heard something very funny 
yesterday, about a girl of yours, who lived somewhere 
up in the country. A beautiful butterfly, who now flys 
with broken wings. Eh, Clifford?” 

Paul Clifford was bad, we. know, but like all men of 
his class, did not wish to be told of his baseness. 


Tried By Fire. 


I2S 

“ That is a pointed question, old boy,” said he, as he 
puffed away rather nervously at his cigar. “ I have sO' 
many girls, as you call them.” 

“ Yes,” said Clark; “ but this one is a particular one.” 

“ Oh !” said Paul, trying to appear indifferent. “ I 
guess you mean the little blonde. Oh, she is somewhere 
in the country. I have not seen her in some time; but 
who in the world told you?” 

“ Why, some of the boys. I forget just now. I know 
at the club, last night, your name was mentioned, and 
some one spoke of the little girl.” 

“What did they say?” asked Paul, trying to hide his 
eagerness to learn what their opinion was of the matter. 

“ Oh, not much ! Only you served her very badly,, 
and the affair rather broke you up.” 

“Pshaw ! Do I look like a broken up man?” 

“ No; on the contrary.” 

“ Then let’s drop the subject,” said Paul, quite anxious, 
to forget his villainy. He really loved Violet, and did 
not wish to be reminded of her. Many and many a time, 
he thought of the sweet, innocent flower he had plucked, 
ere it had blossomed into maturity; and in the silent mid- 
night hours his mind wandered back to that morning, in 
the woods at Fairview; back to the beautiful picture he 
had painted of that sweet face. He sought forgetfulness 
everywhere. But, alas ! his heart seemed to grow fonder 
and fonder every day, until at last he vowed, let come 


126 


Tried By Fire, 


what would, that he would find her. Then again, he 
remembered that his fortune was fast wasting away, and 
he must marry some one with money. He thought very 
seriously of proposing to Miss Belle Leighton. He did 
not love her, with the deep, intense love he had felt for 
Violet. No, he knew no other woman would reign in 
his heart, as she had done. If she could only bring him 
money; help him retrieve his lost fortune, then he would 
surely- find her, and give up all others ; for was she not 
one of the loveliest women on earth? . So affectionate and 
kind; and, best of all, she loved him. Her heart belonged 
to him alone. Never had another ever wakened one 
throb of love in her innocent heart. No, she loved him 
alone. Ah, Violet ! he thought, I am a bad man, but 
you are the one love of my life, and in the years to come, 
when the fever of youth has dried up within me, your 
sweetness and love will be a pleasant remembrance. Oh, 
man of the world ! pause ere it is too late. There is a 
day of retribution for us all, and regret gnaws deeply into 
our hearts. Remorse is more bitter than wormwood or 
gall, and many are obliged to drain the bitter dregs to the 
very last drop. 

% % % ^ % 

On one of the most fashionable streets of upper ten- 
dom of New York, stands a grand and imposing struct- 
ure. The windows are ablaze with light. Awnings and 
carpets stretch to the very walk. Carriage after carriage 


Tried By Fire. 


127 


•deposit their precious burdens of silks, satins, velvets and 
precious stones. It- is a grand sight. Many of the 
beauties of New York are gathered within those walls, 
for it is the grand reception of the season, and perhaps 
the last that Isabel Leighton will grace with her presence, 
for she contemplates going abroad for an unlimited time. 
She has many warm friends and admirers in New 
York’s best circles. Handsome, rich, and of a loving yet 
haughty nature, she was born to command. The best 
blood of old Virginia flows in her veins, while pride of 
birth and country have been held up to her, from child- 
hood. Many wondered why she did not marry, and even 
went so far as to ask her the reason she refused so many 
good offers. 

‘‘ Oh,” she would say. “ I am in no hurry. There is 
plenty of time yet; and besides, I have not found my ideal 
yet. To be sure I have met those of which the world 
approves; but, I am not prepared to give my life into the 
hands of any man who asks it. I have seen too much of 
the world and unhappy marriages. The man who claims 
mv hand must be above reproach. His name must be 
without a stain, his character without a blot. When I 
find such a person, I shall be only too glad to spend my 
life for his comfort and happiness.” 

The last strains of “ The Beautiful Blue Danube” were 
floating through the rooms, when Paul Clifford led his 
partner in the waltz. Miss Leighton, to a seat. Who, 
ooking at him, as he sat there, would for one moment, 


128 


Tried By Fire. 


have dreamed that the weight of a lost soul, was hanging' 
over his handsome head? That if he had his just deserts^ 
his well-formed neck would now be encircled with a rope 
necklace ? 

“ I think,” he says, in sweetest tones to his companion, 
“ that we will find the conservatory much cooler than this 
room. What say you to a stroll through the realms of 
fairy land?” 

“ Indeed, Mr. Clifford, I have been there many times^ 
in imagination,” 

“Come,” said Paul; “we will take a seat near this 
fountain, whose low murmurs makes sweetest music in 
my ears.” 

The conservatory was a perfect picture of what one 
would imagine paradise to be. The scent of many flow- 
ers, the music of colored fountains, whose bright sprays 
reflected all the colors of the rainbow, and here and there 
colored lights shed their soft, subdued rays on all. Here 
birds were skipping drowsily from perch to perch, and 
chirping in low, quiet tones, as though the spell of fasci- 
nation hung over all. Here the time and place for lover’s 
vows and sighs; and here Paul Clifford led his partner, 
and in soft, low voice, told her his love. Told her, how 
he had learned to appreciate her many fine qualities ; that 
his was an undying love; that no woman had ever 
touched his heart, as she had done. 

“ Will you, Isabel, give me the right to protect and 
guard you? All that man can do, I will do for you,” 


Tried By Fire. i 2 p 

said the oily-tongued villain. Ah, conscience ! where is 
thy sting? 

Isabel Leighton was no flirt. She was a woman far 
above falsehood and deceit, who scorned any and every 
low act. She would not encourage the attentions of any 
man, did she not value his friendship. 

“ Mr. Clifford,” said she, “ I am flattered by ^^our 
attentions. I think when a man offers his name to a lady, 
that he pays her a great compliment. 1 hold you in high 
esteem and no doubt you are worthy that esteem, but I 
should like a little time to think. I am going to Europe. 
I feel as though I would like a little rest from society.” 

“ Then,” urged Paul; “ let’s make it a bridal trip. We 
can avoid society, and together visit the old world.” 

But he did not tell her, that only a few short years 
before, he had been to all the most interesting points in 
Europe, with a sweet, pure girl he had lured from home 
and happiness. Ah, no ! Not he. Conscience slum- 
bered. It did not waken to recall the past. 

“ Give me a day to consider the matter. I must have 
time to think. With me, marriage is a very serious 
question. I do not wish to rush into it. Hasty marriages 
oftimes prove unhappy ones. It is really disgusting to 
read the many divorce cases pending in our courts. I 
know it is difficult to understand each other before mar- 
riage, and that by constant, companionship we can learn 
each others characters better than by courtship. I think, 
though, Mr; Clifford, that I can bid you hope, for you 


130 


Tried By Fire» 


are not distasteful to me, and I am not held in Cupid’s 
net, by any other. It is getting quite late for me. I 
never remain after twelve o’clock. I am sure my aunt 
will be waiting for me.” 

“ Then, Isabel, I am to hope for a favorable answer, 
am I? You may be sure, I will be punctual to-morrow 
evening, to receive my verdict.” 

After escorting Miss Leighton and her aunt to their 
carriage, Paul made his adieu and left that gay assem- 
blage. But once in the privacy of his room, he felt rest- 
less, and taking a cigar sat down in a large comfortable 
chair, to chuckle over his good luck. Well, I am a lucky 
dog, thought he. I am almost sure of her. Thank 
fortune, I can lift up my head once mor-e, and feel inde- 
pendent. I wonder if Violet will know? She certainly 
will. Poor girl ! I wish I could be good, but I am not. 
However, it is never too late to mend; and I think if I 
marry Isabel, I will turn over a new leaf. She is a fine- 
looking woman, and intelligent, and best of all, has plenty 
of money. Paul Clifford, old boy, you are fortune’s 
favored son. 

The hours passed slowly on. The following day, and 
early evening, found Paul waiting for an answer to the 
ring at the door bell. It came at last, after what seemed 
an endless time to Paul, who with throbbing heart was 
ushured into a magnificently appointed room, and in a 
moment was joined by stately, dignified Belle Leighton. 


Tried By Fire, 


131 

“Ah, Mahelle\ You see, I am impatient for my 
answer. Your face tells me, it is favorable.” 

“Yes, Mr. Clifford. My aunt and I have talked this 
matter over and weighed every point, and I feel, that in 
giving you a husband’s right, I place myself in good 
hands. Our acquaintance has been very short, but I 
contend that we can learn something of each other in the 
time left us.” 

“ Belle,” said Paul, clasping her hands in his. “ I am 
thankful that your answer is favorable. You do not 
know how happy you have made me. I hope and trust 
that you will never regret placing your life in my hands, 
I will do all I can to make you happy. Are you willing 
to name an early day?” 

“ Yes. I expect to go abroad in three months, and if 
it suits you,’ we will name that time for our marriage. 
You know, my aunt is anxious that we should make this 
wedding the grandest one of the season. Therefore, we 
must prepare ourselves for a ceremony performed in 
church.” 

After spending an hour in pleasant conversation, such 
as lovers generally indulge in, Paul left his affianced bride 
and with the old-time habit sauntered into his old haunt, 
the club-room. 

“ Congratulate me, boys,” said he. “ I have this night 
received the promise that in three months I will lead 
La belle Leighton, with all her thousands, to the altar.” 


132 


Tried By Fire, 


“ Hurrah !” chorused several voices. ‘‘ Put up the 
cigars, Clifford ; that is too good to lose.” And grasping 
him by the hand, each one gave him a hearty shake, with 
many good wishes for the future. 

“By the way,” said one; “you will of course give us 
all an invitatipn?” 

“ Certainly. I believe the programme reads, a cere- 
mony in church, followed by a grand reception at the 
home of Madame Roscon, after which we leave for a trip 
to the old world.” 

“ Who is to be your best man, Paul?” asked another. 

“ I do not know yet. I suppose my friend Clarke, 
here, will have to act as master of ceremonies. Eh, 
Clarke?” ' 

“ I do not care,” said that gentleman. “ I shall only be 
too happy to see you made miserable, Clifford.” 

“Thank you.” 

“ No thanks, I assure you. Lknow that most men call 
it being made miserable, and unless I miss my guess, you 
will have to toe the scratch, for those black eyes mean 
business.” 

“ I wager,” said one young man, “ that in less than a 
year, Paul Clifford will be a steady, settled old man.” 

“ Ah, no !” said Clark. “ Paul Clifford will never set- 
tle down. He is too fond of pleasure. No woman will 
ever hold the reins over his head.” 


Tried By Fire. 


133 


“ Boys,” said a voice, who had been silent during all 
the time the others were talking; “I would like to say 
something. ^We have met here from time to time, and 
enjoyed many hours of untold pleasure. We have learned 
each others character, and studied each others disposi- 
tions. I don’t think we have ever allowed one feeling of 
dissension to creep into our little circle. Paul Clifford is 
the first to withdraw from our band. I feel, dear friends, 
that we can do no less than draw up resolutions of regret, 
and present them in due form to our worthy friend.” 

And,” continued he, in great solemnity, “ let us hope, 
that in taking his leave, he will not abandon the ‘ Wide 
Awake Club’ entirely.” 

His speech was received with rounds of applause, and 
Paul was called upon to retaliate. 

“ Gentlemen,” said he, in a grave and ministerial man- 
ner, “ I am glad to know that the members of the ‘ Wide 
Awake Club’ hold me in such esteem. In taking upon 
myself the vows of wedlock, I do not intend to seclude 
myself entirely from my old friends and pleasures. Those 
who have known me heretofore, shall know me again ; 
and I most solemnly pray and hope, that we, as a body 
of men and gentlemen, will yet live to enjoy many a 
fragrant Havana together.” 

“ Three cheers for Clifford !” and never did those walls 
resound with such merriment before. A man like Paul 
Clifford, was a favorite everywhere. He was jolly. 


134 


Tried By Fire. 


good-natured, and had all the qualities that go to make 
up a man who would be popular with such a club, as the 
one known as the “ Wide Awake Club.” Its members 
were all men of money, and no pains or expense had been 
spared to make it one of the finest in New York. As 
the hours were now drawing on toward midnight, each 
one felt that he had enjoyed himself enough for one night„ 
so, after smoking the last cigar, they bade each other 
good-night, and repaired to their respective homes. 


CHAPTER V. 

In an humble home, on a back street, in the city of 
New York, lives a worthy couple, into whose home has 
never come the patter of little feet, or the sound of baby 
voices. John Bates was a carpenter by trade, and his 
home could boast of nothing, beyond the common neces- 
sities of life. Having been left an orphan at an early 
age, he had battled with life, and by hard knocks and 
fierce struggles, had managed to keep body and soul 
together. His wife, a good, kind, motherly woman,, 
whose heart was ever ready to respond to the call of 
charity or want, cared little for the world, or anything in 
it. Her life belonged to her husband, and to please him 
was her one thought. 

John and his wife were sitting side by side, as was 
their wont, when the day’s work was done. She with 


Iried By Fire, 


135 


some light work, and he with the daily paper, reading all 
the news of interest to her, when a low knock at the door 
startled them both. - John hastily opened it. Before him 
stood the apparition of an angel. 

‘‘May I come in?” said a sweet, low voice. “I am 
very tired, and I am looking for work, but have been 
unable to find it.” 

“ Certainly,” said good, honest John. “ Wife, here is 
a young woman with a little child, who asks skelter. We 
can give it to her, can’t we?” 

“ Yes. Here dear, take this seat, and give me the 
baby. It is asleep, poor child ! You must be very tired. 
What are you doing? Looking for work, with a bit of 
a baby in your arms? I am afraid you will have hard 
work to find a place.” 

Who is this unfortunate woman? Reader, it is Violet 
Brandon. She had spent what money she had, when 
she left the home of Paul Clifford. In vain she tried. 
No one could give her employment, with a young babe 
in her arms. 

“ My good woman,” said good old John with tears in 
his eyes; “ you need not worry. We can find enough for 
you to eat, if you will dry your tears, and try to content 
yourself with us. We have no children, and never had 
but one; and if she were living, she would be about your 
age. Twenty. I am not far from right, am I?” 


136 


Tried By Fire. 


“ Indeed, sir, you may be thankful your daughter is at 
rest. I would to heaven I had died years ago,” said 
poor Violet, sobbing hysterically. 

“ My good girl,” said Mrs. Bates, wiping her tears. 
“ Our lives are not our own ; and no doubt the all-seeing 
eye of our Father in Heaven, follows us everywhere. 
Now, come, make yourself at home, and we will talk 
to-morrow, what can be done. In the meantime, sit up 
and have a bite, for I know you must be hungry. Here 
is a cup of good, strong tea I have made, while we were 
talking.” And with her own hands she removed Violet’s 
hat and wraps, noticing at the same time, that they were 
of the finest and best. 

Violet ate very little. Her heart was so full she could 
not suppress the tears that filled her eyes, in spite of all 
her efforts to keep them back. 

“ My good girl,” said John, in his own peculiar way. 
“ Whatever you have done, whatever misfortune has 
overtaken you, I am sure you have suffered.” 

‘‘Indeed, sir, I have suffered. I will tell you my 
story, and then do with me as you please.” And in as 
rapid a manner as possible, Violet told them all. Told 
them of the good father and mother, whose hearts she 
had broken by her disobedience. How, when she dis- 
covered that she v/as no wife, she left the home of the 
man who had deceived her, feeling that she could not eat 
the bread she had bought with her virtue. 


Tried By Fire. 


137 


John and his wife were sobbing as hard, and even 
harder than Violet, and when she closed her story, they 
each clasped her hands and promised to shield her from 
the rude storms that were likely to overtake her in the 
future ; for such a face as hers, would never escape the 
eyes of those men who are ever on the watch for prey. 

“ You shall be our daughter, and the little one will fill 
our home with the sweetest music of heaven, the music 
of the voice of little children. Do not let me see any 
more tears in your eyes. You are young, and should not 
give way to grief. Your life is blameless. You are 
sinned against. You have not sinned. But the villain, 
whoever he is, God will punish as he deserves. My 
child, you are not the only one in the world who has 
made a mistake. There are thousands of others who 
stand just where you stand to-day, and the wretches who 
lured them on, are going around the world unpunished. 
Jennie, show Violet to her room, and I hope she will not 
feel alone in the world, for you and I will stand by her 
through everything.” 

Long and earnestly Violet prayed that night. She 
thanked God for the friends she had found. Thanked 
Him that a home had been given her and her child. 
Thanked Him that He had given her strength of mind to 
walk in the right path. 

The next morning’s sun rose bright and clear, and was 
the beginning of the beautiful Indian summer. Violet 


138 


Tried By Fire. 


opened her eyes with thankfulness upon the plain, but 
scrupulously neat little room which would be her home 
for many a day to come. Baby, too, seemed to feel the 
influence of her surroundings, for when her large eyes- 
opened upon the sweet face of her young mother, she 
began chatting in her little baby way, which touched 
Violet to the heart, and clasping her dear little form amid 
tears of thankfulness for her comforting presence, vowed 
to bury the past and begin life anew. 

“You are unfortunate my baby, for being born with 
your father’s face and eyes. Their clear brown depths, 
pierce my heart like barbed arrows, and yet, I would not 
change their color, if I could. He shall never have the 
pleasure of looking at your sweet face. No, for you are 
not his.* You are mine alone. No power can take you. 
from me, but God’s. I will guard you so closely my 
precious, that if your life and mine are spared, you will 
escape the net into which I was drawn. I will devote 
my life to you. We shall live for each other, and in the 
years to come, this sorrow will have passed away, like 
some dim, delusive dream.” 

While she was cooing to her baby, Mrs. Bates, who 
had been listening outside the door, stepped quietly in, 
and taking the child from its mother, began caressing it,, 
and in tones of gladness, told Violet that she was really 
thankful for the presence of a baby in her home. 

“ My husband and I,” said the good woman, “ have 
concluded to keep you with us, if you will stay. Our 


Tried By Fire, 139 

means are limited, but we have enough to share with 
you, and hope you will content yourself with us. Do not 
worry now. You and baby belong to us. Come, break- 
fast is waiting.” And going ahead of Violet, placed 
before her a tempting breakfast, to which the poor girl 
did ample justice. Baby Ha^el, too, seemed to relish the 
humble meal, while the kind hostess looked on in genuine 
delight. 

Da3^s passed; weeks rolled into months, and still Violet 
remained in her new-found home. She had tried to be 
cheerful, tried to forget the past; but her love for Paul 
Clifford was so strong that she could not banish it from 
her heart. Time and again, day after day, she prayed 
Heaven to give her strength to forget him, but in vain. 
Absence only served to endear him to her. Her grief 
began to show itself in the thin face and dark rings now 
encircling her beautiful blue eyes, until one da^^, when 
her foster mother found her unconscious and talking 
incoherently of Paul, and asking him to come back to 
her. 

“Poor, unhappy girl!” said Mrs. Bates. “How I 
wish I could tind this Paul. I would punish him as he 
deserves. I would give him up to justice, and let him 
suffer to the fullest extent of the law.” 

Violet laid many days in sweet unconsciousness, 
watched and tended by her two devoted friends. Her 
life hung by a very slender thread; but good care and an 
efficient physician brought her at last from death’s door. 


140 


Tried By Fire. 


and once more the light of reason beamed in her beauti- 
ful eyes. The fever had left her very weak and thin. 
Her hands were almost transparent in their snowy white- 
ness. Her face had lost its roundness, and the lovely 
bloom had gone from cheek and lip. The beautful head 
had been shorn of its glossy locks, and one looking at 
her, as she lay among the pillows of purest whiteness, 
could not suppress an exclamation of surprise at the 
vision of loveliness, even in its fever-wasted helplessness. 
So thought Doctor Thompson, who by constant attention 
had learned to love the patient sufferer, and hoped to win 
tier consent to an early marriage. Mrs. Bates had told 
him something of her history, shielding her in every 
possible manner, until he had grown very much inter- 
ested in her life, and by S3^mpathizing with her, had 
allowed her to creep into his heart of hearts until he 
determined at the very earliest opportunity to offer his 
love and protection. He loved little Hazel, too, and 
would gladly give her a father’s protection and care. 
Man}" times when Violet lay in unconscious slumber, had 
Mrs. Bates and the Doctor talked the possibility of a 
marriage between himself and Violet, neither one doubt- 
ing for a moment that any opposition from Violet could 
possibly arise. 

‘‘ I love her, and will be so glad to have her find such 
a husband as I know you would make,” said Mrs. Bates. 

The poor child has suffered. What her secret is, I do 
not feel at liberty to divulge, but she is as pure as an 


Tried By Fire, 


141 

angel, and I am sure she has never wilfully done a wrong. 
She has tried to be cheerful when in our presence, but 
many times, in the silent hours of night, have I heard her 
sobbing, as though her heart was broken.” 

“If she will give herself to me,” said the Doctor; “I 
will make her life so pleasant that she will forget that 
sorrow ever laid its iron hand upon her. I will soothe 
and comfort her as a mother soothes her infant, and I am 
sure that once within the shelter of my love, she will 
never know a moment’s sadness. The little one, too, I 
will take as my own, and forget that another father’s 
blood flows in her veins. She is a beautiful child, and I 
predict a great future for her. Her ey^s and face bespeak 
the true artist. You never saw any one with such eyes^ 
excepting those within whose brain the true artist’s flame 
was shining. She certainly inherits those traits from one 
parent or the other. I never saw such eyes, and I love 
to gaze into their dreamy depths, for the little queen is a 
perfect study to me.” 

Day after day, Violet gained in health and strength, 
and, were it possible, she certainly was more beautiful 
now than before the fever overtook her. Sitting one 
morning with a crimson shawl thrown around her, and a 
dress of soft, creamy material falling in graceful folds 
about her, she made such a beautiful picture that Mrs. 
Bates paused in her work to take a long look at the lovely 
creature, and wondered if the angels in Heaven could be 
more beautiful. 


142 


Tried By Fire. 


“ How could a man think for one moment, (thought 
she) of casting a blight upon so fair a flower? No won- 
der the Doctor loves her, he could not help it.” While 
she was thus engaged, she was disturbed by the entrance 
of Doctor Thompson, and knowing full well the purport 
of his visit, she excused herself by saying that household 
duties required her immediate attention. 

When alone with his fair patient, the Doctor, who had 
been almost stunned by this vision of loveliness, seemed 
to have lost the power of speech, until Violet in a playful 
manner asked him of what he was thinking. 

“ I am thinking, Violet,” said he, “ that a certain little 
girl I know, has crept into my heart until she has installed 
herself so permanently that it is impossible to crowd her 
out. Do you know who I mean?” 

Violet was indeed surprised, and sorry too, for she had 
not thought of such a thing as love. To her, the very 
sound of the word love was distasteful. 

“ I am very sorry. Doctor,” said she blushingly. “ I 
hope you have not for one moment thought that I gave 
you any encouragement whatever. I have no love to 
give any one, and I would not, for the world, have you 
think me so ungrateful. I have my daughter, and she 
claims all the love I have to give. I shall never marry. 
I intend devoting my whole life to her education and the 
moulding of her character. I wish to make her worthy 
of herself, and if possible, make her a bright and shining 
light to others.” 


Tried By Fire, 


143 


‘‘ Violet, I do not wish to urge you, but you are alone, 
in the world, and need a protector. Your child needs a 
father’s care. Why not give me the right to care for 
both? I love you. Although you are a comparative 
stranger to me, yet I am willing to risk any and every- 
thing. Mrs. Bates has told me considerable of your 
history, and I feel very sorry for you, for I am sure you 
have suffered. Your ravings in your sickness show that 
some unprincipled wretch has been the cause of your 
sorrow.” 

Tears were in her eyes now, and the remembrance of 
a time when another, dearer far to her, was pleading in 
just such sweet low tones, that were then, the sweetest 
music she ever heard. Ah, if he had been a man like 
this one ! A man of principle and honor, who had some 
regard for the honorable. But no,' he was far from it^ 
Now, when a good man offered his heart and love, she 
had no love to give him. The fountain of love in her 
heart had dried up, and what remained her child must 
claim. 

“What are your intentions in regard to the future? 
Violet,” asked the Doctor. 

“ I do not know. I think I shall advertise for a posi- 
tion as companion or something of that kind. I could 
never do anything laborious.” 

“ I am afraid my child, that such a position to one so 
frail as you, would indeed be hard.” 


144 


Tried By Fire. 


“ I am well aware of that,” said the brave girl, “ but I 
do not flinch. I am prepared to face any difficulty that 
may arise.” 

“ Do not refuse me outright, Violet. Promise me that 
if ever you feel that you can give me your love, that you 
will recall the words you have spoken to-day, and tell me 
frankly that you think you can with all confidence place 
yourself in my keeping.” 

“ Doctor Thompson, you do not know, in fact, you 
cannot imagine, how sorry I am to give you pain. I will 
confess, that in my life, there is a page I never unfold. 
It is as a sealed book which I do not care to open, for it 
brings only sadness and regret. . But I do not intend to 
mourn my life away. I am« young yet, and I have 
undoubtedly many years before me; therefore I will not 
waste my time in vain repining. I feel that in Mr. and 
Mrs. Bates, I have found true friends, and as long as they 
or I live, I shall consider them the same as my own father 
and mother. For, have they not proven themselves 
such? I came to them a perfect stranger, without home 
or friends; a waif, wandering the very streets, with my 
babe in my arms. Came to them, begging for food and 
shelter, and they took me in and cared for me, as verjr 
few would. I shall always consider you my friend, and 
hope you will look upon me as you would a sister, whose 
life has not been in paths of peace and joy, but whose 
earlier years have been made miserable by the treachery 
of others.” 1 


Tried By Fire. 


145 


“ Then Violet,” said the poor man, whose face bore an 
expression of despair ; “ I will not urge you any farther. 
But this much I will say, that never in the years to come,, 
will I seek the love of another woman. To me, love is a 
sacred passion, and I firmly believe that the one love of a 
life is given to us all. We may respect and feel very 
much attached to others, but there is only one love, that 
surpasses all others. That love I feel for you. God 
bless you, Violet, will be my daily prayer, and in all my 
daily walks of life, your sweet presence will ever cling to 
me, and I shall feel grateful to our Father above, that it 
has been my good fortune to have met one, whom I can 
call a perfect woman.” With these words he bade her 
adieu, and left her presence with a sadder heart than he 
had ever known before. 


CHAPTER VI. 

This is Paul Clifford’s wedding day. The bright 
November sun is shedding its rays over the scene, where 
all seems joy and happiness. No morning ever dawned 
so clear and bright. ' The trees are just beginning to don 
their winter robes, and beautiful autumn leaves are scat- 
tering wantonly their many bright hues over the earth. 
The huge organ in St. Paul’s church is sending forth the 
notes of the wedding march, as two figures walk slowly 
up the aisle and stand before the holy altar. The, church 


146 


Tried By Fire, 


is crowded with the elite of New' York, who have come 
to witness the marriage of one of society’s favorites. 
Many a disappointed swain looked on with envious eyes 
and almost cursed the man who had won the prize for 
which they had all been striving. 

Isabel Leighton was a vision of loveliness. Her dress 
of creamy satin covered with rare old lace, showed her 
dark beauty to the greatest advantage. The beautiful 
neck and arms were bare, and glistened with diamonds 
of rare value. A veil of grand old point, held back by a 
diamond star, fell in graceful folds to the floor, and 
covered her lovely form as though enveloped by a cloud 
of misty vapor. ' 

Pale to the very lips, stood Paul Clifford, as the mem- 
ory of another marriage morn arose before him, and the 
face of an innocent child he had wronged, peered into his 
own. What cared he, this man of many sins? He had 
only to think of the wealth this woman by his side was 
bringing him, and memory and conscience were laid aside. 
The words were spoken. The man of God had blessed 
them, and Isabel Leighton was the wife of one of the 
most licentious men of the day. Who will predict the 
future? All is over. Belle Leighton was now Isabel 
Clifford, and as the happy couple passed out, murmurs of 
satisfaction were heard on all sides. They were rapidly 
drawn to the residence of Madame Roscoe, there to 
receive the congratulations of their friends; after which 


Tried By Fire. 


147 


they were to take the steamer, bound for Liverpool. 
They contemplated a lengthy tour, of an indefinite period, 
and took their departure amid a shower of rice and old 
shoes. The signs were all favorable to a happy future, 
and no marriage had been consummated that gave so 
much satisfaction as this one. 

* * * * * 

“ Violet,” said Mrs. Bates. ‘‘ I have brought you the 
papers, and while I am busy with my work, I wish you 
would read to me. You know I must finish Mrs. Dry- 
den’s laces this morning, and you will feel that you are 
doing something to amuse me, while I am doing some- 
thing for us all.” 

“ Certainly,” said Violet. “ I am only too glad to be 
of service to you, and I only wish my strength would 
allow me to assist in the work you are doing.” 

“ Never mind, dear,” said the good woman, as she 
looked at the thin, white hands. “ Your hands were not 
made for such work, and besides, I have no time to read 
the papers, and am very anxious to learn what is going 
on.” Dear, kind Mrs. Bates had seen that Violet looked 
sad and thoughtful, and devised this plan to divert her 
thoughts from the subject, which she knew was ever 
uppermost in her mind. 

\"iolet gladly took the paper, and while Mrs. Bates 
wheeled her chair into the kitchen of unusual neatness. 


Tried By Fire, 


148 

she glanced down the pages in a careless, uninterested 
manner, until her eyes seemed riveted upon an article, 
which occupied nearly a column. She felt herself grow- 
ing weak, and stretching out her arms to Mrs. Bates, as 
a tired baby would reach for its mother, she fell sobbing 
on that faithful breast that had proven a harbor of safety 
to the poor broken-hearted girl. 

“Violet dear, what is it?” said the kind woman in 
alarm. “What have you seen that has caused such 
intense emotion?” 

“ Oh, my faithful friend, what would I have dorie with- 
out you? I am very ungrateful to allow myself to cause 
you one moment’s anxiety. But I forget myself at times. 
My sorrow has been so great that I have almost lost 
control of my feelings. I thought to have buried the 
past with all its sorrows. But, here is an article which 
opens the wound again, as fresh as ever. Look at this 
piece of treachery. When I think of such villainy going 
unpunished, I lose faith in all the world. This wretch, 
who blighted my life, and who has been the ruination of 
many others, was yesterday married to one of the wealth- 
iest belles of society. Think of it ! that pure unsuspect- 
ing girl binding herself to a thing, not fit to be called 
man. Oh, to think that such a vile piece of humanity 
should be the father of my child ! Do not blame me, 
Mrs. Bates, that I give way to grief.” 

“ My poor, unfortunate child,” said the good woman, 
her tears flowing as fast as Violet’s; “ I feel as much sor- 


Tried By Fire, 


149 


row over your misery, as though you were my own child. 
I have never known trouble of any kind. My husband 
is one of the best of men; not so polished as many others, 
but a veritable ‘ Diamond in the rough.’ I have every- 
thing to be thankful for; and, dear, as long as we both 
live, I shall claim you as my child. Dear little Hazel is 
very precious to us both. John would not part with her 
for anything, and I hope you will not leave our home, for 
any other. You are young, Violet, and will undoubtedly 
find some one, who by dint of persuasion, will claim your 
heart and hand.” 

“ Do not speak of such a thing, dear friend. If ever I 
should meet a man to whom I would entrust my happi- 
ness, he would indeed be just such a man as Dr. Thomp- 
son.” 

“ You do not know, Violet, how sorry I am, that such 
a man as Doctor, could not have won your heart. I have 
known him for some time; knew his father and mother; 
and I am sure he is well worthy the truest and best of 
women.” 

“ Indeed I am sure of it, and it grieved me to refuse 
him; but love is not for me, and I must learn that human 
love is weak. I have learned by bitter experience, that 
‘ sin brings its own punishment.’ How I would like to 
warn all girls, to beware of oily-tongued men. We have 
living examples placed before us every day, and yet we 
do not heed them.” 


Tried By Fire. 


150 

“ Ah, Violet, my child I many an older head than 
yours has been turned by honeyed words and wiley 
tongues. Heads far more experienced in the ways of 
life and men, and yet they, in an unguarded moment^ 
were caught by an enemy.” 

“ Mrs. Bates, you know you have often told me,' that I 
had a voice, which, if it belonged to others, would make 
a fortune for its owner? I have quite a surprise for you- 
I saw a notice of Madame Millard’s, the great singer. 
She wishes a young lady companion, and I have answered 
it, and received a reply, asking me to call at her rooms- 
I think I shall do so. I am sure I cannot forget my 
troubles by sitting here. Besides, I can see no other 
employment that will be so remunerative, as using my 
voice in opera.” 

“ Oh, Violet, my child ! How can you thin k of such 
a thing?” 

“ I have given the subject plenty of study, and con- 
cluded, that if you will keep Hazel for me, I will accept 
this offer, for I am sure I can do no better.” 

“ Indeed, if you are determined to do something, I do 
not see that you can better yourself, and as for keeping 
Hazel, I would not consent to her leaving me under any 
considerations.” 

“ Then, Mrs. Bates, I will call upon Madame to-mor- 
row, and in the meantime, I will arrange everything, so I 
can leave at any time she may wish me to do so.” 


Tried By Fire, 


151 

Violet went to her room, and, kneeling down, prayed 
long and earnestly, and in her heart felt that God. is 
indeed a comforter, if we only go to Him with our 
troubles. “ Now unhappy past,” said she, “ I am done 
with you. Never again will thought of you bring tears 
to my eyes. All that is left me now, is to retrieve the 
past, live for my daughter, and if at any time I can save 
an erring sister, I will do so at all hazards.” It did not 
take her long to get everything in readiness for her 
departure, and the morrow found her more cheerful than 
she had ever been, since her coming to the home of good, 
kind John Bates and his wife. 


CHAPTER VII. 

Two years have passed, and to-night a great operatic 
star is to be added to the constellation of great and gifted 
singers. The theatre, the largest and finest in New 
York, is packed to the very doors. Notice after notice 
has been inserted in the papers, telling the public that a 
rare treat is in store for them; a young and beautiful girl, 
pupil of the gifted Madame Millard, would this night 
rival the great singer herself. With her own hands she 
arrayed her protege. No one else must touch her. 

“Dear, dear Marie. You will break many hearts 
to-night. Kiss me, dear, and God bless you. Now I 


152 


Tried By Fire. 


must escape to the box where I can watch my darling, 
and enjoy the applause she will receive.” 

Xbe overture is over. The curtain is rising. All eyes 
are turned toward the stage, anxiously watching the prize 
which had been kept in strictest seclusion, and who, being 
the pupil of Madame Millard, must be something won- 
derful to hear, for the French woman herself, was with- 
out a rival. 

Madame Millard sat in the right hand box, but was 
hidden from public view, by a drapery arranged accord- 
ing to her own ideas. She was very pale, and the woman 
who had faced the old and new world, trembled with 
anxiety and joy. She had no fear for the beautiful girl, 
for she felt that she could fill every anticipation, and had 
studied night and day for this grand dehut. 

A tremendous applause broke the stillness of the house, 
as Marie Lesher came to the footlights. Not a quiver 
disturbed her beautiful face ; not the least sign of embar- 
rassment was visible. Her voice, low, sweet and bird- 
like, rose and fell in fullness and increased in strength, 
until her listeners were so enwrapped with the fair singer 
that many arose unconsciously and stood motionless. 

The. opera was ‘‘ Norma,” and so well was it rendered, 
that many wept tears of joy as well as sympathy. As 
the last notes of the first act died upon the ears of her 
listeners, Marie was almost covered with flowers. Bas- 
kets of rare design, and pyramids of roses enveloped her 


Tried By Fire. 


153 


lovely form. One basket, composed entirely of beautiful 
pansies, edged with lillies of the valley, and tied with 
snow-white ribbon, told her as plainly as words could tell, 
that her dearest and best friend, she to whom she owed 
her first success, had sent her her own favorites, and 
with a bow of gratitude toward* the box, picked up the 
basket and with repeated kisses held it to her heart, while 
a tear, the first and only one she had shed, since reading 
the marriage notice of Paul Clifford and Isabel Leighton, 
fell upon the purple petals, and shone like a diamond in 
the gaslight. 

In the first tier of boxes on the left sat a lady and gen- 
tleman in full evening dress. The woman, a beautiful 
brunette, was carried away with the beautiful singer, and 
was fairly entranced with the quality of her voice. With 
what piteous tones she warbled that most beautiful part 
of the opera where Norma pleads for her children : 

Canst thou think as thou dost listen 
To thy children’s artless songs, 

Of that moment when their fond hearts 
First shall feel their mother’s wrongs? 

“ Oh, Paul, look ! Is she not beautiful? And I am 
sure she has suffered. There are tears in her voice; and 
she so young, too. Can it be possible, that sorrow has 
touched that beautiful creature?” 

But Paul Clifford sat like a marble statue. He was 
deaf to all sound, until his wife shook ^him into his 


senses. 


154 


Tried By Fire. 


“ Why, Paul, what is the matter? You look as though 
you had seen a ghos 

“Nothing, Isabel,” almost gasped Paul. “I am like 
yourself, I suppose, entranced with the music.” 

But Isabel Leighton was a very quick person to under- 
stand, and she saw in a moment, that something more 
than the woman’s voice, had caused his face to assume 
that stony look. 

“ What can be the meaning of this? Has Paul a 
secret that he has kept from her? Why should he act in 
this manner?” 

The first seeds of distrust had taken root in her unsus- 
pecting heart, and once more Paul Clifford had added 
' one more unhappy woman to his list of unfortunates. 

The moment Violet came upon the stage, he recog- 
nized her sweet face, and in an instant, the wild desire to 
possess her, came over him, and he vowed, let come what 
would, he would try to see her, and, if possible, win her 
back to his heart and love. Manlike, he thought she 
would be glad to come back to him, that all he had to 
do, was to smile upon her, and she would be glad to die 
for him. 

Violet Brandon was not that kind of a woman. She 
had too much spirit and self-pride. She felt her wrongs 
too deeply. Besides, she could never forget the insult, of 
his cold, unfeeling letter. 


Tried By Fire, 


155 


When the curtain fell upon the last act, the applause 
fairly shook the building to its foundation. Madame Mil- 
lard clasped her darling to her heart in genuine pride and 
joy, and when the audience would not stir until the fair 
debutante made her final bow before the curtain, the 
proud French woman led her pupil out to show the peo- 
ple, that she, herself, was satisfied with the success her 
fair face and voice had achieved. 

Two other hearts in that audience throbbed with joy. 
Two pair of eyes wept tears of thankfulness over the girl 
who seemed as their own. John Bates and his wife 
were there, to witness the grand success of their dar- 
ling. Never had they felt such pride; never seen so 
much grandeur and magnificence; never witnessed such 
applause. Surely, Violet would be beside herself. 

“ Ah, no,” said John, who knew her character and had 
quietly studied her nature. “ Nothing like this, can 
spoil our girl. She is too sensible. How little we knew,, 
that night, when we took her in, that, we should this day, 
be the proudest couple in New York; for I am proud, 
to-night, wife,” said John, wiping away a tear. “ But, 
we must not forget, that we are invited to the rooms of 
Madame Millard. You know she says we must share 
Violet’s triumphs with her.” 

In half an hour, the four were drawn to the hotels 
where Madame Millard had a fine supper awaiting them^ 
and, after Violet had been caressed and petted to their 


y 


V 


Tried By Fire. 


^56 

hearts content, the old couple took their departure, feeling 
that they had been amply rewarded for all they had done 
for Violet. 

When Violet first came to Madame Millard’s, she had 
thought to keep her true name a secret, but she soon 
found that it would be useless. She loved her teacher, 
and conscieftce told her, that she must not deceive her. 
Therefore, she told her all her past, keeping nothing 
back. Twice a week Violet and Madame Millard called 
at the Bates’ cottage, for the French woman had learned 
to love little Hazel, and enjoyed visiting the old people, 
as much as though they belonged to her. Many, many 
a dollar, found its way to that home, and the old couple 
enjoyed many comforts, that were hitherto unknown to 
them. Hazel was now four years old, and was so beau- 
tiful that strangers who saw her, uttered exclamations of 
delight, and wondered whose child she was. Her eyes 
were dreams of poetry and soul, large, and of a dark 
hazel brown, with long dark fringes. Her hair, a 
beautiful golden, hung in long clustering curls, and waved 
above a brow full of intellectuality and ideality. She was 
a very intelligent child, too, and was wise beyond her 
years, and gave great promise of being a brilliant light in 
society. 

Isabel Clifford has taken her first lesson in doubt. She 
asked Paul many times for an explanation, but he always 
evaded her, and it only served to make her more deter- 
mined to ascertain the facts of her suspicions. 


Tried By Ftre. 


157 


Paul could find no rest since he had seen Violet. He 
was moody and thoughtful, scarcely ate anything, and for 
once in his life, was conscience-stricken. “I declare,’^ 
he mused. “ I did treat her rather shabbily, but she loves 
me, and I can easily win her back. I would like to see 
the woman who can resist me. She will be the first. I 
could have won the French woman, if I had persisted, 
but now I guess, I will turn my attention to my old love, 
for she is indeed the o»^ly woman I care for. Isabel is 
handsome, and I am very proud of her, but Violet loves 
me with a pure, childish love. I do not doubt for one 
moment that she has grown cold toward me. She is too 
guileless and innocent to understand resentment. There- 
fore, I think I stand a good show to be re-instated in my 
old quarters. Isabel will never know. I will take Violet 
away from the public and she will warble her sweetest 
notes for my benefit alone.” 

Madame Millard and Violet sat alone, each in deep 
meditation, when the servant handed Violet a highly 
perfumed letter. One glance at the superscription, and 
her face became livid with anger. Too well she knew 
th^t handwriting. One glance was sufficient to tell her, 
that the wretch who had ruined her life, had dared to 
once more approach her. 

“ Look, Madame !” she exclaimed, her voice trembling 
with anger. “ See what the dastardly coward assumes. 
He dares to address me; dares to take my name upon his 
foul lips. If I were a man I could enjoy giving the inso- 


Tried By Fire, 


158 

lent rascal a good thrashing,” and in her anger she trod 
the floor in quick strides, as though she were trampling 
Paul Clifford underneath her feet. “ Think of the insult. 
After placing me where the world’s scorn could crush 
me, leaving his child to the mercy of the world, to be 
scorned and buffeted about like a poor, worse than orphan 
waif, he thinks I will return to him and live as a mistress. 
Oh, if he were only here, I would thrash him to my 
heart’s content.” 

“ My child,” said her faithful friend. “ Command 
yourself. Do not give way to anger. Look upon this 
letter, as coming from one so far beneath you, that he is 
not worthy your notice.” 

“ Yes, Madame, but think of it. He has a wife, a 
woman of whom the papers speak very highly; and to 
think, th^it he should dare to deceive so noble a woman.” 

“ My child, such men do not think anything of stoop- 
ing to acts of shame and degradation. It is an every day 
occurrence with them.” 

“Yes, but when anything like this comes home to 
your very heart, when such an insult is offered you, 
how can you feel otherwise than angry?” 

“Yes, my cliild, but think of me. I cannot enumerate 
the many, many brainless fops, who have dared to address 
me, thinking that because I belong to the public, I am 
open to insults. It takes a brave, strong woman, to 
defend herself against these men of the world. Women 


Tried By Fire, 


159 


in our profession, are ridiculed and scorned from no other 
cause, but the wagging of vile tongues, and slander of 
unprincipled men, who are ever on the alert for a bit of 
spicey news.” 

“ He asks me, the brazen wretch,” said Violet, “ to 
grant him an interview. Has he forgotten the cruel letter 
he sent me? If he has, I have not, and never will. Time 
can never obliterate these letters from my sight; they are 
^itamped upon my brain like so many coals of fire.” 

While Violet was thus berating her traducer, a card 
was handed her, bearing the name of Mrs. Isabel Clifford. 
Had an angel dropped before her, she would not have 
have been more surprised. 

“ What shall I do, dear friend? Advise me. I have 
not the strength to know my own mind. I cannot possi- 
bly meet this woman. I conld stand before a crowded 
house, but I have not the courage to face this unfortunate 
woman.” 

“ Do not see her, dear, if it distresses you.” 

“ I would much rather not. But she requests an inter- 
view, and I would not for the world, cast one shadow 
across her pathway. Think how dark my life has been. 
I cannot see her. Tell her, Louise, that I am engaged, 
and do not receive callers.” 

In a few moments Louise returned with the request 
that Mrs. Clifford would not detain her but a moment. 


i6o 


Tried By Fire, 


her visit was urgent, and she would be pleased to have a 
few moment’s conversation with Miss Lesher. 

“ I cannot. Tell her, Louise, it is impossible. What I 
Me meet this woman who occupies the place from which 
I have been driven? No, not that I love this kind of all 
evil deeds ; not that I feel that she has taken any great 
prize from me. Far from it. I am thankful that fate 
has turned in my favor for once. I am glad now, that I 
am awakened to the full sense of a situation so horrible 
and disgusting to me, in every detail. What would this 
woman think, if she were to see my Hazel? She would^ 
no doubt, hate the poor child, whose unfortunate birth 
was no fault of her own. Ah, dear friend, how true it is, 
that ‘ the way of the transgressor is hard.’ ” 


CHAPTER VIII. 

Far away, in a once happy home, sit a couple, whose 
silver hair and bowed heads, bespeak the anguish within 
their hearts. 

“Do you know what day this is, father?” said Mrs, 
Brandon. 

“Yes, wife; but I did not speak of it, because I knew 
it would give you additional pain.” 

“Nothing can make me feel deeper sorrow than I 
already know. Last night, when the stars were shining 


Tried By Fire. 


i6i 


brightest, when the moon looked down upon me with 
saddened face, I ‘ felt the touch of vanished hands, the 
sound of a voice that is still. Baby fingers clung to mine. 
The fragrance of baby kisses, fresh and sweet, still linger 
on my lips. Oh, Violet, my lost baby, something tells 
me, that she will yet come back to the old nest. I know, 
wherever she is, that her heart still clings to us. Day 
after day, I listen for her footsteps ; listen for her sweet 
voice, and many times I hear the song of birds, and think 
she has come back. Violet’s birthday, and where is she? 
Her seat at the table is waiting for her. There hangs 
her hat, just as she left it. Her room is untouched. The 
dent of her head is still in the pillow. Not an article has 
been disturbed, and should she come back, we will think 
that we have been living in dreams, idle dreams. We 
must live in hope.” 

“ Yes, wife, we live in hope, blessed hope. Sometimes 
I fancy I hear her singing in the angel choir above ; fancy 
I hear her sweet voice leading the angel choir. She 
comes to me too, not as a full grown woman, but in sweet 
and innocent childhood, trips along by my side, day 
after day, in her own merry glee, chasing butterflies and 
humming birds, until her little feet grow tired, and I find 
her sound asleep in some lone corner where sleep over- 
took her in her play. Ah, wife, I have wearied Heaven 
with prayers for her safety; prayers for her speedy return. 
Will she come, think you?” 


i 62 


Tried By Fire, 


“ Yes, if she is living, she will come back to the mother 
who nursed her; the mother who watched over her help- 
less childhood. She cannot, will not, forget us. I some- 
times think she is dead. But no, if she were, she would 
come in angel form to me, and clasp her dear arms 
around my neck, in her old loving way. Yes, she will 
come back. Heaven spare us both until that day comes. 
Spare us to see the hour when we can clasp her to our 
hearts, the same pure, loving child she was, when she 
left us. If we only knew where to find her, we would 
surely bring her back, and once again beneath the shelter 
of our home, she will not leave us, until one of us in laid 
away in our silent resting place in God’s own acre.” 

“ I had forgotten wife,” said Mr. Brandon, handing her 
a letter ; “ here is a letter I received yesterday from an 
old friend of mine in New York, asking me to make him 
a visit and if you will go, I think it will do us both good. 
We have stayed at home so long, that I am sure we will 
enjoy a visit to the city.” 

“ Oh, father ! I have no heart for anything. Every- 
where I go, I am looking for a face, listening for a voice 
to call me mother. I am afraid I would impart my 
sadness to others, and such a visitor would not be very 
welcome.” 

“We must lay aside our grief, and live for others. It 
is sinful to mourn and forget that we have duties to per- 
form to our fellow-creatures. God is merciful, and in 


Tried By Fire, 163 

due time, if our darling is living, we will surely meet 
her.” 

“ If you think best, father, I will go. Some silent voice 
urges me on. Something tells me, that I will not regret 
this visit. I will try to lay aside my grief, and in doing 
for others, I am sure I can find some comfort for myself.” 

“ Then, wife, I will answer this letter at once. Make 
your preparations and one week from to-day we wdll 
start.” 

New York was many miles from Fairview, for it was 
in one of the western states, and was quite a journey. 

Mrs. Rogers, who still remained at Fairview, was ap- 
prised of the contemplated visit. She wondered what 
ailed them. “ Have they gone crazy sure enough. I can’t 
believe,” she said to John, who had grown to look upon 
Fairview as his settled home, “ that they are in their right 
mind. Perhaps, too, they have tidings of dear Violet.” 

“ I wouldn’t wonder,” said John. “ I brought them a 
letter to-day, postmarked New York, and I guess that is 
what is taking them there.” 

“ Heaven grant it be so,” said the good woman wiping 
away a tear, as John turned aside for fear she would see 
his own tears, gathering in his eyes. “ I tell you, Mrs. 
Rogers, the house has never been the same, since the little 
girl went away. I have missed her cheery song more 
than you, for she clung to me, and whenever she wanted 
any whittling done, she was sure to call John. I have a 


Tried By Fire, 


■ 164 

little shoe I found, belonging to her, half- worn, and with 
just the least bit of a hole, where her little toes had tried 
to peep through. Here it is. I always carry it in my 
pocket, for I loved her. You know, Mrs. Rogers, no 
one could help loving the sweet child, and she twined 
herself so closely around my heart, that had she been my 
own, I don’t believe I could love her any better. I have 
no one, and liever had, that I can remember. The poor- 
house was my home, until I was eight years of age ; then 
I was put upon the world to shirk for myself, and when I 
am obliged to leave Fairview, I hope it will be for my 
eternal home.” 

“John, do you think she will ever come back?” 

“ I can’t say. I only hope. When the bells of the 
village church ring on Sunday, they seem to say : ‘ She 

will come ! She will come !’ ” And poor John, in his 
great, good nature, felt deeply the loss of his favorite. 
“ If she is living,” said he, “ she .is a woman now, and I 
am sure, as beautiful as a dream.” 

“Yes, John, she will come, if prayers can bring her 
back. We have all prayed for her safe return. But I 
can’t believe that a child, so loved and loving, could leave 
such a home and remain away, without finding some 
means to inform us whereby we could find her. She 
must be hidden somewhere against her will, or else she 
has been spirited away, to some foreign country.” 

I have thought of that, Mrs. Rogers, but you know 
I never speak of her, to her father and mother, unless 


Tried By Fire, 165 

they first mention it, for their grief is more than I can 
bear. What must her loss be to them, when it is so 
much to me? I, who cannot boast of one drop of her 
blood. I set my heart upon her, too much, and Pbelieve, 
were I to see her, I would lose what little reason I have 
left. If I knew where to find her, I would go myself, 
and I often picture her welcome when her dear eyes 
would rest upon old John. That day she went away, she 
came to me, in the woodshed, and said she, ‘John, you 
will never leave father and mother, will you?’ ‘No, Miss 
Violet,’ said I, wondering at her question. ‘ I hope I 
shall live here the rest of my life.’ ‘John,’ said she, clasp- 
ing her arms around my neck, just like a little child, 
‘ would you miss me, if I were gone away? Would the 
sun shine as brightly, or the birds sing as merrily, if I 
was gone out of your life?’ 

“ ‘ Don’t mention it, Missie,’ said I, with tears streaming 
down my cheeks, for her manners were so sad, I could 
not believe that she was talking in earnest. You know, 
she was all sunshine and gladness. ‘ And, John,’ she 
went on, ‘ would you ever forget me?’ Poor child ! I 
wish I had known everything then. I knew there was 
something she was keeping back, something she wanted 
to say, and dared not. Oh, if she had only unburdened 
her heart to me then. I often go there and kneel down 
on the very spot where she stood, and pray for her softly. 
I can see her now, her large blue eyes full of sadness. 
Why did she not open her heart? Perhaps she was 


Tried By Fire, 


i66 

afraid of some one. Who knows, Mrs. Rogers? If I 
thought some lover had coaxed her away, had taken her 
from us, through any treachery or deceit, I would not 
rest night or day, until I had found him, and crushed the 
life out of him. But I can’t think such a thing. She had 
no lover. She was not much more than a spoiled baby. 
She did not know what love was, excepting the love she 
bore us all, here in her home. I am glad that Mr. and 
Mrs. Brandon are going somewhere. You know the 
ways of Providence are very mysterious, and we will 
hope that Heaven will aid us in our searchings after our 
little sunshine. I must go now. I have unburdened my 
heart, and I can work with some feeling of contentment, 
for hope bids me be of good cheer, and all will yet be 
well. 


CHAPTER IX. 

Isabel Clifford was a woman whose sense of honor 
was of the highest order. When she accepted Paul 
Clifford, she supposed he was a man of principle, for all 
who spoke of him, spoke in the highest terms. The 
scene at the opera awakened feelings of jealousy, never 
before known to her. She reasoned with herself, and 
tried to think, that perhaps Paul was infatuated with the 
fair singer’s beauty, for men are fond of pretty faces, and 
this woman was something more than beautiful. In fact. 


Tried By Fire, 


167 

was bewildering in her beauty. And her voice too, was 
marvellous. Older and more sedate heads were carried 
away with her. Then, how could Paul resist her? But 
again, she thought, why did he not speak the truth? 
Why did he evade her questions? Ah, there is some- 
thing. I am sure of it, and if he has proven false, if he 
has spoken that which is not true, he shall rue it to the 
end of his life. I will see this woman, and, if possible, 
gain some knowledge from her. I cannot live in sus- 
pense. I must know all, and if there is anything that 
warrants^ a separation, I shall apply for one at once.” 

Violet refused to see Mrs. Clifford, for various reasons. 
She knew in the first place, that the sight of the woman 
who had taken her place, would cause bitter feelings in 
her heart, and awaken a desire for revenge. She did 
not wish to be the cause of unhappiness to any fellow- 
creature, for she had suffered, and knew full well the 
bitterness of the draught. Then again, she reasoned, 
“Why should I care? Has not. this man cast me upon 
the world, a thing of scorn and shame? To what lower 
level could he have placed me? How much more could 
he humiliate me, in the eyes of the world? Even though 
I did seek revenge, it is what thousands would do in my 
place. I would be justified in punishing Paul Clifford, as 
he deserves. But to strike him through the heart of an 
innocent woman, would be cowardly on my part. It 
would be wicked. And, rather than add to my many 
sins, I would far rather endure the bitter pangs of sorrow. 


Tried By Fire, 


i68 

Besides, would I feel happier in knowing, that, though I 
gained the satisfaction of seeing him miserable, I had 
been the cause of breaking up a home, where all is joy 
and peace? Would my dear mother advise me to seek 
happiness at the cost of another’s? Ah, no ! She would 
bid me forgive and forget. ‘ I will repay,’ saith the 
Lord, and His punishment will be greater than mine.” 

While Violet was musing alone, and battling with her 
better nature, the servant announced a lady, thickly 
veiled, who refused to give any name. Not thinking for 
one moment, but that some lady admirer, who had seen 
her at the opera, had called to congratulate her upon her 
success, Violet rose to meet her, with extended hand, 
and in sweet, musical tones asked, to whom she was 
indebted for this visit. 

“ Dear girl,” said the lady, throwing aside her veil. 
“You do not know me, and I am quite sure we have 
never met. And yet, I can but feel that our lives must 
intermingle, to a certain extent. I have sat entranced and 
listened to your sweet voice, and my heart has gone out 
to you with loving admiration. How happy you must 
be in knowing that you can contribute so much pleasure 
to the world. I saw you the evening of your debut,, and 
enjoyed your sucess in pleasing your audience, had it not 
been for one little incident. Miss Lesher, I will be plain 
with you, for I am not one to halt by the wayside. I am 
the wife of Paul Clifford.” 


Tried By Fire. 


169 


“ Madam,” said Violet, rising to her feet; “ excuse me, 
hut I do not wish to discuss Mr. Paul Clifford. His very 
name is hateful to me.” And, forgetting herself, Violet 
was carried away with anger. 

“ I am ' very sorry,” said her visitor ; ‘‘ but I am a 
woman who scorns falsehood and deceit. I will tell you 
plainly the object of my visit. I came to you, as one 
woman comes to another, for information regarding a 
subject that lies nearest my heart. When my husband 
saw you, that night, he seemed like one turned to stone, 
and has never appeared the same since. When I ques- 
tioned him, he seemed quite reticent, and refused to give 
any explanation. I cannot live in doubt, and when I 
married Paul I supposed him the soul of honor. Tell 
me truly. Tell me, no matter what it is. I will respect 
you the same as I do now, for you are not a woman who 
would stoop to dishonor, I am very sure. The soul of 
purity shines out of your eyes, and I am positive no one 
could ensnare you into any act that would bring a blush 
of shame to the mother who bore you.’ 

“ Oh, Madam !” cried Violet. “ How unfortunate I 
am. I am alone in the world, and have no one, except- 
ing the friends I have made in New York.” 

“ Do you know my husband?” said Mrs. Clifford, look- 
ing straight into the eyes of Violet. 

Violet did not flinch from the searching eyes of her 
visitor. In an instant the thought of love and duty to 


Tried By Fire. 


170 

others flashed through her mind, and she determined to 
shield the man who had worked her ruin, in order to 
save the feelings of an innocent wife. 

“ Madam, how can you think that I know your hus- 
band! The name of Paul Clifford is associated with my 
earlier years, and the man who bore that name was 
many, many miles from here. Then how could it be 
your husband?” 

“ Perhaps you reminded him of some one he had 
loved?” 

“ Perhaps so, and if so I am very sorry.” 

“ Then why did he not tell me? I know he must have 
had other loves than mine. He has not lived in society 
without meeting some one who pleased his fancy.” 

“ Oh, Madam ! Men are strange creatures. I have 
had very little to do with outside affairs, but I have read 
a great deal, and although I am young I have known 
one whose life has been wrecked by a villain, who to-day 
goes through the walks of life as unconcerned as though 
he never did a wrong, and yet his soul , is black with 
crime. The woman he wronged was strong of will and 
purpose, and determined, let come what would, she would 
stand up for her rights. Men think a woman can be 
trampled under foot, and have no spirit to rise above 
humiliation. But, thank Heaven, there are plenty of 
women who will not be crushed by the iron hand of 
injustice. The day is close at hand when a woman can 


Tried By Fire. 


i7r 

stand up and vindicate her rights, the same as men, and 
with equal rights. I belong to the public, and when I 
stand before the footlights, I am accountable to the public;, 
but, when the people receive my last good-night bow, I 
belong to myself, and no one dare dictate.” 

“ Miss Lesher,” said Mrs. Clifford, with eyes full of 
admiration for the noble girl, “ Y ou are indeed a brave, 
true woman, and I admire your spirit of self-defense. 
Although, as you say, you belong to the people, I am 
sure, in your heart, dwells the true sense of honor and 
integrity. Many women in your position would be 
STD 'led by the flattery you receive, but you are beyond 
nonsense. You are beautiful, both in mind and body. 
Nature has spread a lavish hand over your destiny, and 
your soul is encased in a frame of unsuspecting beauty. 
But when Heaven favored you with a handsome face 
she did not forget to place behind that face a soul of 
purest whiteness. A soul whose purity cannot be soiled 
by contact with the world.” 

“ Madam, you are too lavish in your praises. You da 
not know me, therefore you are speaking at random.” 

“No, Miss Lesher. I know what I am saying, and 
mean every word of it. I wish you would let me be your 
friend. When I came here I expected to meet a woman,, 
like many others in your profession, but I am glad to say 
I am happily disappointed, and although you are younger 
than I, yet I am proud to say you can teach me lessons. 


172 


Tried By Fire, 


of humility and forgiveness. I should indeed be pleased 
to call you friend. There are so few who really under- 
stand the word, and it has been sadly abused. I do not 
mean the friendship of mere acquaintance, but the sweet 
intercourse of friends, that ennobles and elevates us to a 
higher sphere.” 

“ I should indeed,” said Marie sadly, “ appreciate your 
acquaintance; but I am at present not my own mistress, 
und therefore do not know when I shall leave New 
York. I have only a very limited number of friends at 
present upon whom I can rely. Madame Millard is my 
nearest and dearest friend, and I have a little daughter, 
who is part of my life, who, if I am spared, I will shield 
from the world’s blighting touch. Do not blame me. 
Madam, if I refuse your proffered friendship. I have no 
doubt I should never regret meeting you, but there are 
certain reasons connected with my life, why I prefer our 
acquaintance should cease to-day. If you feel that you 
can enjoy my voice at any time, I shall be only too glad 
to number you among my hearers. Do not, dear friend, 
entertain any unjust suspicions toward your husband. 
You have taken him fbr better or worse, and now let 
only pure and holy communion exist between you. Life 
is too short to waste it in vain repining. Whatever your 
husband’s past life has been is nothing to you, so long as 
he remains a true and loving husband to you.” 

“ Thank you. Miss Lesher. The few moments spent 
in your company has been of great benefit to me. When 


Tried By Fire, 


173 


I came here 1 felt ver}^ unhappy, and if I blamed you for 
my husband’s seeming indifference, I ask your pardon. 
And if at any time I can be of service to you do not hes- 
itate to come to me. I shall always think of you with 
pleasant remembrance.” 

So they parted. These two whom fate had thrown 
together in such unpleasant circumstances. Who will 
say that Violet did not choose the better part? Who will 
dare condemn her? Was it not nobler in her to sacrifice 
her own feelings than mar the happiness of another? 
Think you, her mind was more at ease, knowing that she 
had smoothed the pathway of an innocent woman, who, 
had she chosen, she could have made miserable for life? 
Ah, yes ! The good book teaches us “To do unto others 
as we would be done by.” 


CHAPTER X. 

To-night is Marie Lesher’s farewell to New York. 
The house is packed, and many have been turned away. 
She has won many friends •and admirers, and all are loath 
to part with their favorite. She has twined herself around 
the hearts of all who have seen her by her gentle man- 
ners and winning ways. Crept into their hearts with her 
sweet face and sweeter voice. Everyone feels that she 
will prove a loss, and leave a vacancy which will be hard 


Tried By Fire. 


174 

to fill. Never has she been in better voice than to-night. 
Never has her beauty shone to better advantage, and 
w^hen her lovely face came before that audience the 
applause that greeted her told full well how much she 
was appreciated. 

Isabel Clifford was there, too, for she loved the fair 
girl. Loved her for the sweet lesson of humility and 
love she had taught her, and the tears that filled the kind 
woman’s eyes, were tears of genuine regret. 

In one of the first tier of boxes sit a party consisting 
of two ladies and two gentlemen, who seemed to be 
entranced with their surroundings. Two of the faces 
peer anxiously around, and gaze searchingly at each 
and every face, as though looking for some one, then set- 
tle back with a long sigh, as though their searchings had 
been in vain. The Orchestra has ceased. The curtain is 
upy and from the center door enters Marie Lesher. A 
cry is heard from that box where sit the party whose 
eyes were scanning closely the faces of those around 
them. 

“ My baby ! My Violet !” comes in heart-rending tones 
from one, who with outstretched arms, leans toward the 
stage. The cry is heard by everybody. It reaches the 
beautiful singer, who recognizes the voice, whose music 
has not sounded in her ears for many, many months. 
She stops, gazes into the box breathlessly. One moment 
her fair form sways, and Violet Brandon (or Marie 


' Irted By Fire, 


175 


Lesher) is lying in a dead faint. All is confusion. The 
crowd arise en masse,, and anxious inquiries are heard on 
all sides, “ Is she dead?” The manager steps forward 
and in loud voice explains that Miss Lesher has only 
fainted, and will soon be herself again. Peace and quiet 
reign once more, and presently she appears. Her voice 
is low and trembling; but as she goes on, it gains in 
strength and power, until she far outdoes her former 
self. 

David Brandon and his wife had come to New York 
on a visit to an old schoolmate, little thinking that this 
visit would restore their long-lost daughter. 

• When Violet recovered consciousness, she sent a mes- 
senger to the box, and in a much shorter time than it 
takes to tell it, she w^s folded once more to that faithful, 
loving mother’s heart. There was no time for explana- 
tions, but the two who had mourned as those without 
hope, now wept for joy, as they clasped each others 
hands and knelt together before the astonished spectators. 

Marie Lesher stood for the last time before her audi- 
ence, while flowers of every hue and name were falling 
around her. The picture she presented as she stood 
amid the flowers, clad in a satin of shell-tinted pink, will 
never be forgotten by those who saw her. Tears were 
coursing down her cheeks. Tears of joy and sorrow. 
Joy at knowing that her dear ones were still alive; and 
sorrow at the parting with a public, who had learned to 


176 


Tried By Fire, 


idolize her in the short time she had been among them. 
Her heart was full of sweet, womanly tenderness, which 
lent a charm to her already perfectly moulded character. 
As Marie was leaving the stage, a basket of pure white 
roses was handed her, to which was attached a note bear- 
ing these words : 

Dear, Dear Friend : — Will you accept the gift you 
will find among these roses. Take it and wear it, as the 
gift of a grateful woman, who prizes and admires you^ 
both as a woman and singer; wh© owes to your discretion 
and kindness, the happiness of her life. God bless you 
in all your walks of life, is the prayer of 

Your friend, 

Isabel Clifford. 

Lying among the flowers in a case of white velvet, lay 
a solitaire ring of purest diamond. One moment the 
bewildered girl gazed upon it, and her first thought was 
resentment. But when she thought again, that his 
money had not purchased it, and that the noble woman 
who sent it was in reality her friend, she placed the ring 
upon her finger, in remembrance of an innocent woman, 
who had been betrayed, as well as herself. 

Who can describe the meeting between Violet and her 
parents? She remembered how miserable she had made 
herself and her loved ones by deception, and vowed to tell 
them all. Vowed never again, by word or deed, conceal 
that which in her mind led to deception or fraud. She 
told them the exact truth. Told them of the man with 


Tried By Fire. 


.177 


the oily tongue, who had lured her froni home and 
happiness. How she had intended to come back to them, 
thinking in her innocent mind, that all was right. Told 
them of the letter informing her of their death, and how 
she mourned and meant some day to find their graves, 
and kneel down upon them and pray for forgiveness. 
Her first impulse was to conceal the fact of her baby’s 
birth, and keep them in utter ignorance of her where- 
abouts. But no, she thought it was best to tell them. 
Then, if they condemned her, she would suffer the con- 
sequences. She recited the story of Hazel’s birth, as 
carefully as possible, and although the fact of the child’s 
existence was but another arrow of pain in their hearts, 
she felt that she could not possibly suffer any more than 
she had done. No ! Let come what would, nothing 
could grieve her any more than what had occurred in 
the past. What was to come, would be as nothing com- 
pared to the sorrow of knowing that she had been a 
mother, and yet, in the eyes of the world was no wife, 
according to law. 

When little Hazel was brought to her grandparents, 
their joy was unbounded, for in the child they saw once 
more their own innocent little Violet, excepting the eyes 
of her father, and they were brown, where her own were 
blue. Still they loved the child. For, was she not 
Violet’s own? Oh, how thankful they were, that God, 
in His mercy, had given them back their idol. That she 
was alive and well, and in spite of the treachery that had 


178 Tried By Fire. 

been played upon her, she was their own truthful Violet 
of old. 

“Violet,” said her father. “ If I knew the name of the 
rascal who has caused so much sorrow to us all, I would 
crush him as though he were a crawling reptile. I would 
torture him to death, even as he has tortured me. I 
would show the viper that justice can be done by an 
injured father, as thoroughly as though he were tried by 
a jury, and in much less time, too.” 

“ Father,” said Mrs. Brandon. “ Revenge is very 
sweet; but there is a higher power, who will repay this 
man in a manner far more satisfactory than we can. 
You know, God has promised in His good book to pun- 
ish the evil-doers. And I would not, for the world, have 
you stain your soul with that man’s blood. Violet does 
not wish to recall his name. Let it lie unknown to us. It 
is better as it is. Besides, what she has suffered no one 
knows but herself. Do not let us add to her misery, but 
endeavor by every means to help her forget the past. 
Think of our own sufferings . Her’s is tenfold more than 
ours.” 

“ You are right, wife. You are alwa3^s right. But 
the love I bear my own lamb is so strong that I cannot 
feel satisfied until I have spilled the wretch’s blood, who 
has caused her such humiliation and suffering. But, as 
you say, it is best to leave him to God. Still, when a 
man sees that which is dearer to him than life betrayed 


Tried By Fire. 


179 


and thrown aside, then the thirst for blood can hardly be 
quenched. Oh ! How I would like to get my hands on 
his miserable throat.” 

Who can blame him.^ When a wolf creeps into the 
fold and destroys the most precious lamb there, how can 
we help but seek to punish him as he deserves? 

Paul Clifford’s act was more than dastardly. There 
was no punishment cruel enough for him. Let God deal 
with him as He thinks best. 


CHAPTER XL 

Violet could not cancel her engagement with Madame 
Millard, for the French woman claimed a share in her 
life, and no persuasion could induce her to give up her 
claim. During the short period of their acquaintance 
she had learned to love the sweet girl as much as though 
she were her own. Being alone in the world she had no 
one to love; no one to whom she could go with her sor- 
row; no one to fold to her heart in loving embrace. No, 
not one. And yet, this woman belonged to the world. 
No recluse kept herself more aloof from intercourse with 
others, than she. Two lone, suffering women, bound by 
the tie of friendship. All in all to each other. Yet both 
were envied for the gift of their rare voices. Both were 
beautiful, and the opposite of each other. One, a soft. 


i8o 


Tried By Fire, 


transparent beauty. The other, a dark, passionate beauty, 
born to command. One who would not be dictated to, 
but by her gentle, suave manner, ruled all who came in: 
contact with her. 

Violet’s parents were loath to part with their daughter, 
but she felt that she did not wish to relinquish her profes- 
sion so soon. It seemed too bad to bury her magnificent 
voice away from the \vorld; so, after making arrange- 
ments to divide her time with her parents and the public, 
Violet concluded to leave Hazel with her foster-parents 
until she was old enough to be sent away from home. 
Then she would place her in some first-class boarding 
school, there to remain until she was a finished young 
lady. 

Doctor Thompson had been very devout in his attend- 
ance at the opera, and had bided his time, thinking that 
when a good opportunity presented itself he would once 
more sue for the hand of her he loved best on earth. The 
woman who to him was the fairest and sweetest he had 
ever seen; the woman who at first he had pitied, then 
learned to love, as he had never loved before. George 
Thompson was a good man. A man, whose soul soared 
high above the common level of men; whose aim in life 
was to do good to his fellow-creatures ; who despised any- 
thing low and cringing; honorable to a fault, and ever 
ready to defend the weak and powerless. No fairer type 
of manhood lived than he. Large, broad-shouldered; 
hazel eyes, dark brown hair, that lay in beautiful waves 


Tried By Fire. 


i8i 


over a high, intellectual brow. A man who could count 
his conquests by the hundreds, had he chose to make 
them. But no ! Not he ! He was kind and considerate 
to all, and ever ready to lend a helping hand; but any- 
thing trifling was beneath his noble nature. He did not 
know the true story of Violet’s past, and if he did, he did 
not connect anything criminal with her pure mind. He 
believed her something like an angel. How many, many 
times had he pictured a home where Violet would reign 
supreme; where her sweet voice would make music all 
the live long day; where her gentle sympathy would give 
him strength and encouragement. It had been many 
years since he had known the comforts of a home ; known 
what it was to enjoy his own fireside. His practice was 
large, and he had accumulated quite a fortune, which he 
used with a lavish hand for the benefit of all needy ones 
who came under his notice. No one went away with 
empty hands, who came to him with tales of sorrow and 
suffering. Many a sorrowing heart grew lighter, many 
tears were dried by the influence of his kindness. The 
world in which he moved was better for his coming into 
it. He did not profess to be a Christian, and yet his life 
was a living example to others. He had been raised by a 
lovely, gentle woman, whose whole life was spent in 
behalf of her two children, a son and daughter, who grew 
to maturity, and when the daughter had reached her 
twenty-first birthday, died after three days’ sickness. 
Zina Thompson was a lovely girl, and Violet Brandon 


i 82 


Tried By Fire. 


resembled her, even to the color of hair, and this resem-^ 
blance first touched the Doctor, who loved his only sister 
devotedly, and her memory was sacred to him. The 
death of so lovely a sister, changed the brother from a 
gay, jovial man, to a sad-eyed, silent thinker. His mother,, 
who had been widowed in his early infancy, soon followed 
the daughter to the silent land, and George was left alone 
to seek comfort and consolation wherever he found 
friends. But he soon learned that the friendship of the 
world was not lasting. To-day he had friends; the mor- 
row found him alone, and quite disgusted with the world 
in general. He soon learned that those who rely upon 
the friendship of others, anchor to a frail support. 

Violet felt that in giving her hand in marriage, she 
would be doing a great wrong. Therefore, it was best 
to remain as she was. She could not conscientiously 
become a wife, with what she considered a stain upon her 
soul. No. A woman who takes upon herself the vow 
that binds her for life; who stands before the man of God 
and promises eternal fidelity, should do so with a clear 
conscience and a pure mind. Marriage is a sacred con- 
tract, and should be entered into only from purest motives. 
Violet was a pure and upright woman. Had she been 
led away, knowing the truth of her position, then the 
world might censure her, and call her “ a scarlet woman.” 
But she did what she believed to be right and honorable. 
Her sin was not of her own making. She was the suf- 


Tried By Fire. 


183 

ferer. She was sinned against. But in her own mind 
she blamed herself, and prayed constantly for forgiveness. 
Prayed Heaven to spare her child from sorrow, for the 
mother’s disobedience. 

Ah, reader ! You who scan these pages, stop and 
think, if any there be around you who need a few words 
of encouragement. If so, do not hesitate to take a weak 
sister by the hand and in a kind, gentle, forgiving spirit, 
show her the true way to a life of happiness and purity. 
You will be happier for it. The world will be better for 
it, and Heaven will rejoice in the knowledge that another 
has been saved to join the throng who surround the 
“ great white throne above.” 


CHAPTER XII. 

Ten years have passed since we last looked at the 
lovely face of Violet Brandon, or Marie Lesher, as she 
was known to the world. Ten years of prosperity, both 
in America and abroad. She was beloved on both sides 
of the Atlantic, and wherever her name was seen crowds 
gathered to listen to her beautiful voice. She had many 
worshippers, both male and female, but personal friends 
were limited. Death has stepped in and taken away 
the good man who had befriended her the night she 
wandered the streets, with her child in her arms. 


184 


Tried By Fire. 


John Bates has gone to his last account. Violet was 
far away when the good man died, and many, many times 
a day he asked for her. 

“ I could die happy,” said he, ‘‘ knowing that her dear 
hands were here to close my eyes when I am dead. I 
love her, wife, the same as my own. She has been a 
dutiful daughter to us, and I know that when you are 
alone you will have a faithful friend to lean upon. She 
will not forsake you. Have no fear. Tell her, wife, how 
I longed to once more look into her bright eyes. Tell 
her that I never regretted taking her to my heart, she 
and dear Hazel. Oh, what a comfort the child has been 
to me ! They will come and kneel by my grave, and I 
shall know they are there, for I shall watch and wait for 
them.”’ 

Hazel was there, holding his hand until the last. She 
loved him with a rare devotion, and for the first time in 
her young life gazed upon death with all its terrors and 
desolation. 

So, John died, and when the news reached Violet, far 
away across the great ocean, she mourned him as one of 
the truest friends she ever had. She thought of his kind- 
ness to her and her child; thought how much he had 
loved them; what a friend he had been in the hour of 
need. After the first flood of grief was over, she wrote 
Mrs- Bates a long soothing letter. Told her not to worry 
for her future, but to look forward with brave heart and 
hopeful spirit. 


Tried By Fire. 


185 

“ Now,” thought Violet, ‘‘ I have a good opportunity 
to show my gratitude, and I am thankful that I can do 

50 .” 

She wrote her agent in America to send Mrs. Bates a 
check of no small amount, for which the good woman felt 
grateful, as her husband’s sickness had drawn heavily 
upon her slender means. Three times a year a sum of 
money found its way to the cottage, and the inmates felt 
that the teachings of God were verified. For, had they 
not cast their bread upon the water” it would never 
have come back to them. 

Violet was growing tired of this roving life, and longed 
for the time to come when she could settle down and 
enjoy a life of comfort and peace in the society of her 
daughter. Hour after hour she would sit and muse 
alone, picturing a beautiful future with Hazel for a com- 
panion. Oh, if she had only been born with other eyes 
than those of her father. Whenever I look into them 
they stab me like arrows,” Violet would say to herself. 
Many, many hours she passed in tears, thinking of the 
past and blaming herself for her disobedience. Blamed 
herself that she had been the cause of sorrow to others, 
and most of all to her father and mother. “ I, their only 
child, who should have been their greatest earthly com- 
fort, have bowed their heads with shame and grief.”. 

Time passed on. Hazel was now grown to woman- 
hood and a lovelier type of beauty was never seen. She 


Tried By Fire, 


1 86 

was, as Doctor Thompson had said, an artist of finest 
ability. Her pictures were creations of her own brain, 
and almost equalled the old masters. She was truly a 
born artist and loved the art with true devotion. Many 
times she would rise at dead of night and paint some 
beautiful dream picture that her brain had created while 
she slept. In many of her paintings could be seen the 
form of a sad-eyed, world-weary woman, and that face 
was her mother’s. How she loved to paint her beautiful 
face ; loved to gaze into the violet depths of her eyes and 
ofiimes in her impetuous love would caress the canvas on 
which was reflected the face of the one nearest and dear- 
est to her. Her disposition was perfect. It had never 
been spoiled, and her mind reflected a beautiful soul, all 
purity and holiness. She was a natural born Christian. 
When a little child she would fold her tiny hands and bow 
her head as if in prayer. She was mother. All mother. 
Not one trait of her father’s character had been imparted 
to his unfortunate child, and Violet was thankful that 
Heaven had been so merciful. In one more short year 
Hazel would graduate. Then her mother determined to 
retire to private life and seek enjoyment in the society of 
her lovely and gifted child. 

“ My dear baby,” Violet would say. “ The day will 
come when other loves than mine will fill your heart; 
when other lips will kiss your perfect mouth and claim 
you as their own. When the thought of giving you up 
to the keeping of another comes to my mind, I almost 


Tried By Fire. 


187 


wish you had never looked upon the world ; never known 
a mother’s love. Oh, my one little lamb ! My treasure t 
I will guard and watch you so closely, that you will be 
spared the sorrow I have known. I will teach you that 
mother must come first; teach you that deception is the 
greatest of sins; teach you to beware of men who would 
learn you to deceive your mother. Oh, my pure, white 
lily. Heaven guard your beautiful life from sin and sor- 
row ; keep you from contact with the vile and unprinci- 
pled. Her constant pijAyer was for her daughter’s safety 
and happiness. Her own unhappy fate had been a good 
lesson. One never to be forgotten by her. 

Violet had many suitors for her hand, but she had no* 
heart for any of them. She was devoted to her child and 
her art. She was now a woman in the prime of life, and 
if it were possible, was more beautiful than in her 
younger days. Still she was beautiful beyond concep- 
tion. Hazel was a vision of loveliness, but she would 
never be the creation of perfection, never equal the spir- 
itual beauty of her mother. 

One more year has passed and Hazel Brandon has 
graduated with all honors. She is what society calls a 
finished young lady. Her mother had never called her 
by her father’s name. She could not. Therefore she 
was known as Hazel Brandon. The name of Clifford 
was associated with too many bitter regrets, and besides, 
the name was a disgrace to any who bore it. She felt 


1 88 Tried By Fire. 

and realized that Hazel was too pure to assume the name 
of such a villain. 

Violet loved her old home at Fairview, but the associa- 
tions were too sad. Every spot was a reminder of her 
disobedience. It brought back her happy childhood; 
brought back the remembrance of her innocence. She 
eould not be happy there. Once she loved its very name. 
Now she could see Paul Clifford’s face at every turn. 
She must make a home elsewhere. Away from every- 
thing that would remind her of what had been. Her 
father and mother were anxious to see her once more in 
her favorite haunts. 

John, who had grown grey in the service of the Bran- 
dons, cried with joy when he learned that Violet was still 
alive, and there were prospects of her coming home. 

“I told you, Mrs. Rogers,” said he; “that the bells 
told me she would come back, and she will.” 

It was astonishing how bright his face grew, and how 
much more sprightly his step had become. Time and 
again he would look at the little shoe, and wonder how 
much larger her foot was now. When told that there 
was a second Violet, he shook his head and in a tone of 
sadness said : 

“ There can never be but one Violet to me. I may love 
the little one, but there is only one Violet in this world 
that I shall ever care to call my own little girl. I will 
never think of her as a woman. All I will have to do. 


Tried By Fire, 


189 


will be to look at this little half-worn shoe, and it will 
carry me back to those happy days when her only care 
was charming birds and butterflies.” 

“ Dear, dear Violet,” said Mrs. Rogers. “ To think 
that when we saw her last, she was a little girl in short 
frocks. Now she is a woman, with a great grown baby 
of her own. And they tell me she is the pet of the pub- 
lic. Think of it. Our Violet a great grown woman 
whom the whole world is ready to fall down and worship. 
And her voice, too, that I used to think was sweeter than 
any bird’s, is far grander than any of our most noted 
singers. Yes, indeed. When she raised her voice in 
song the birds would stop warbling and listen to her 
sweet singing. Oh, many and many a time I have list- 
ened entranced to her beautiful music, and wondered if 
the angels themselves did not envy her its sweetness.” 

Mrs. Brandon could not reconcile herself to think that 
Violet was steadfast in her determination to make her 
home away from Fairview. 

“ I can’t see any other way, father, but that we shall 
be obliged to follow her wherever she goes. It seems 
very sad indeed, to think that after all these years of 
suffering and sorrow, we are obliged to once more see 
her choose another home. I cannot live away from her. 
We have so short a time to live now. We are both 
growing old, and Heaven knows, we have suffered 
enough. Fate is cruel, and wields her sceptre with an 
iron hand.” 


Tried By Fire. 


190 

“Yes wife ; but when we stop to think of all the 
unpleasantness connected with the recollections of her old 
borne, do you feel that you blame her?” 

“No, father,” said Mrs. Brandon, sadly. “And yet, 
the home is very dear to me for its hallowed associations. 
We have lived beneath this roof for many years, and now 
it is hard to leave it for another. Here our little ones 
first saw the light of day. Here we closed their little 
eyes in death, and saw them carried but one by one, until 
only one was left to comfort us. And she, too, was worse 
than dead.” 

“ I am afraid, wife,” said the husband soothingly, 

“ that you are inclined to look upon the dark side of life. 
Why brood over the past ? Bury it out of sight and live 
for the future. Here is a superabundance of light and 
happiness, if we will only look for it. Every rose has its 
thorns, and if we handle them carefully we are not apt to 
prick our fingers. Let us make the best of it, and I 
think we can prevail upon Violet to come back to her 
home. It may seem a little sad at first, but time heals all 
wounds, and in a short time she will have forgotten the 
past. I am like you, deeply attached to Fairview, and 
when the time comes to close my eyes, I want them to 
rest on the walls of our dear old home. I will see Violet ^ 
and I am sure she will not refuse her old father.” 


Tried By Tire. 


191 


CHAPTER XIIL 

Winter had come and gone, and June with its wealth 
of roses was near its end, when a carriage containing two 
ladies, stopped before the gate at Fairview. One glance 
at the eldest of the two revealed the well-known features 
of Violet Brandon. She and Hazel had come for the first 
time to take a look at her old home. Mr. Brandon had 
persuaded her to think that her duty was to come back 
to them and cheer their few remaining years. It had cost 
her a great effort to once more visit the scene of so much 
happiness, and before entering its doors she paused to 
take a look at the scenery, which seemed to have under- 
gone very little change. As she stood with clasped hands 
and streaming eyes, John, who had seen the carriage at 
the gate, knew in his heart it contained his little favorite 
of years gone-by. He could not speak. Joy seemed to 
have paralyzed his tongue. And, clasping Violet’s hand 
with both his own, could only look the joy his lips would 
speak. Brushing away her tears and assuming a gaiety 
she did not feel, she tried to bring him back to his senses. 

“ Why, John,” said she, playfully. “ Are you sorry to 
see me? If you are, I will go back again.” 

Poor John recovered his power of speech, and trying 
to smile in a half sickly way, uttered in almost unintelli- 
gible words, “ God bless you Miss Violet; my prayers are 
answered; I am ready to die now.” 


192 


Tried By Fire, 


“ Here, John,” said she, presenting her daughter, “ is 
another Violet, come to make the house ring, with her 
merriment.” 

By this time her father and mother appeared, with 
Mrs. Rogers behind them and each one trying to smother 
their feelings, for they realized Violet’s emotion, and 
wished to make her feel that her home-coming was a joy^ 
instead of a sorrow.” 

“ Dear, dear child,” said Mrs. Rogers. “ Thank 
Heaven I have lived to see this day, when you are back 
again; looking a trifle older, but the same little girl whose 
merry song once made the old woods ring. And to 
think that we have another to love and pet. Heaven 
keep and guide you both. I declare it makes me feel 
twenty years younger to see your sweet face again.” So 
she kept rattling on in wild, unbounded ecstacy, hardly 
knowing what to say or do. 

“Violet,” said Mrs. Brandon, “come with me. We 
will leave Hazel with her grandpa, until we return.” So, 
taking her by the hand, as she would a little child, she led 
her up the stairs, and unlocking the door of Violet’s room 
said : 

“ Here my child, is the most sacred spot on earth to 
me. Here father and I came every day and prayed for 
your safe return. It is just as you left it. Nothing has 
been disturbed. The dent of your head is still in the 
pillow. Oh, how many times have I kissed the spot. 


193 


Tried By Fire. 

Here hangs your clothes waiting for my little girl to come 
back. Look, dear. You will never wear them again, 
but they will still hold you in our hearts the same as they 
did years ago.” 

“ Mother,” said Violet, kneeling and clasping her hands, 
“ you have told me many times that you forgave my dis- 
obedience, but tell me again. None but God knows how 
much I have repented of that sin of disobedience. Here, 
in my own dear chamber, where the mnocent prayers of 
my childhood were breathed; where in my purity I knelt 
night and morning to my Heavenly Father, let me 
hear you once more forgive my one great sin.” 

“ Rise my child and God forgive you as I do. Here, 
in your mother’s heart, you are as pure as when you 
slumbered on my breast a tiny infant. Do not, my child, 
let your mind dwell upon that unhappy past. You are 
innocent of any sin ; and although you blame yourself, I 
am sure your soul is as pure as the soul of an angel. But 
come, let us leave this room, and when we enter it again, 
it will look far different, for I have ordered everything 
removed, and your clothing packed away where we will 
not see it again.” 

Time passed on and the inmates of Fairview were just 
as happy as though nothing had ever occurred to mar 
their happiness. 

One morning, when Violet was busy writing her letters 
to Mrs. Bates, she was astonished to receive a message 


194 


Tried By Fire. 

that Dr. Thompson was waiting for her in the parlor. In 
an instant she divined the cause of his visit, and when 
she entered the room her cheeks were burning with 

blushes. 

♦ 

“ Violet,” said he, rising and taking her hand. “ You 
know why I am here, after all these years. I could not 
content myself to live without you. Do not, I beg of 
you, refuse me this time.” 

“ Doctor Thompson,” said Violet. “ I have thought of 
you many, many times since I saw you last, and often 
regretted that I did not explain matters more explicitly 
than I did. If you will listen patiently to me, I will tell 
you the story of a life which has been wrecked by a 
single act of disobedience. When you have heard all, 
you will not, perhaps, be so ready to fold to your heart, 
a woman whose life has not been blameless.” Then she 
'told him all; keeping nothing back, and when she was 
through with her story his face was white as snow. 

“Violet,” said he. “I am a man who looks upon 
woman as the greatest handiwork of Heaven. To me, a 
woman is the loveliest, the most sacred being on earth, 
and man’s duty is to respect and shield her. I had a 
sister, who was as dear to me and dearer than my life. 
She was as pure as an angel, and God knows I watched 
over her with jealous eyes. Had she been placed where 
you have been, and passed through what you have, I 
would place her hand in that of any living man and say, 


Tried By Fire. 


195 


‘Take her; she is as pure as Heaven.’ Now you have 
my answer; now you know my opinion of your past life. 
Will you come to my arms Violet, and let me hear from 
your lips the sweetest words a woman ever spoke?” 

“ Oh, my dear friend, for indeed you are such to me ; 
you are the same noble, high-minded man I always 
believed you. If you feel in your heart, that I am worthy 
your love, then take me, and with Heaven’s help, I will 
prove a true wife to you.” 

“ Thank you, Violet. I am proud to think that you 
have favored me with your hand; that you have given 
me the right to watch over you, and I hope you will 
never regret this day.” So, kissing her sweet mouth, he 
told her that he would see her father and mother and 
with their consent, he hoped she would name an early 
day. “ I have done without you so long, that now I am 
impatient to claim my wife.” 

Violet’s parents were not willing at first to part with 
their daughter; but they knew of course, that love is life, 
and she had suffered enough. 

And Hazel too, had found a new love. A love far 
different from the love she bore her mother. 

“ Mother,” said she, one day, sitting with her head in 
her mother’s lap. “ You will not miss me now, so much, 
will you, if I go to another heart and home?” 

“ Hazel, you are very dear to me, but you are human; 
and since the world began, love has been the ruling pas- 


196 


Tried By Fire. 


sion. Mr. Henderson is an honorable man, and I do not 
hesitate to place your life in his hands, for I am sure he 
will never betray the tru^t.” 

“ He is coming to-day, mother, to ask your consent, 
and if it would be as well, I had rather not be present.” 

“Why not, my child?” 

“ Because, mother, you know your life and mine have 
been so closely entwined, that I am sure, although I love 
Mr. Henderson, it would almost break my heart to hear 
your lips pronounce the words that gives me to another’s 
keeping. Still, if you insist upon it, I will be present.” 

Mr. Henderson was a prosperous young man. A 
lawyer of first-class ability, and a man of ' irreproachable 
character. And Violet had made every inquiry in regard 
to his reputation, and all who spoke of him held him in 
highest esteem. 

When Mr. Henderson called, Violet received him with 
throbbing heart and trembling hand. 

“ Mrs. Lesher, you of course know the object of my 
visit,” said he; “and if you are willing to place your 
daughter’s life in my keeping, I will endeavor to make 
her happy. I know she is very dear to you, and I love 
her with my whole heart and soul. Therefore, how can 
I do otherwise than live for her alone?” 

Hazel had not spoken during the conversation between 
her mother and lover. Although it was very hard to 
know, that in her mother’s future life she would hold no 


Tried By Tire, 


197 


part, and that another would occupy her place by her 
side, yet she felt a secret joy for the happiness in store 
for that mother, whose past life had been cast in such 
desolate places. “ It is over at last,” thought Hazel. All 
the loneliness, all the sorrow, all the weeping, was buried 
so deep it would never rise again. 

“ Mother,” said Hazel, as she saw her mother’s lips 
grow pale, “Here is my hand; do with it as you please. 
If it suits you to give it to Mr. Henderson, do so. If not, 
I will try to be contented, and feel that my mother’s 
judgment is right and for my interest, and placing her 
hand in that of her mother’s, she stood very firm and 
resolute. 

Violet was pale with suppressed emotion, as she took 
her daughter’s hand and placed it in that of her lover’s, 
saying in husky voice : 

“ Take her, Mr. Henderson; she is the most precious 
gift a mother can ever yield up. She has been the one 
ray of sunshine in my lonely life, and were it not for the 
reason of my consenting to become the wife of one of the 
noblest and best of men, I would hesitate in giving her to 
you or any other man. Not that I am selfish, but she is 
my all, and I know when a girl once finds room in her 
heart for other than mother love, there is no use trying 
to teach her to forget it. Take her, and God bless you 
both. I will leave you to yourselves while I go and try 
to collect my thoughts.” So saying, she passed from the 
room, with blanched face and slow, trembling steps. 


Tried By Fire. 


198 

CHAPTER XIV. 

All is over. Violet has become the wife of a good, 
true and noble man. One who will stand by her in all 
things. She was married in her own home at Fairview, 
and for the first time in years, felt that life still held some- 
thing for her. Madame Millard was there, too, and shed 
her share of tears of joy; but when she gazed upon the 
happy scene before her, the remembrance of her own 
wedding day, with its many brilliant anticipations came 
upon her in full force, and for a time she felt a silent 
grief that no words could console or drive away. She 
was no longer young, and her voice could not last many 
years more, consequently she thought it best to settle 
down and enjoy what few years were left her of life. 
She bought a fine home, not far from Violet’s, for she 
had become so much attached to her that she could not 
bear the thought of losing her altogether. 

Once, and once only, Paul Clifford met \’'iolet; but his 
presence had no effect on her. She had become indiffer- 
ent to his very name, and she had once belived that love 
could never find its way to her heart; but time heals all 
wounds, and she loved her noble husband with all the 
love of her mature years. 

Her parents had become reconciled to her absence, 
knowing that they could see her at any time. John, too, 


Tried By Fire. 


199 

felt her second loss and had promised to pay her a yearly 
visit. “ Then,” said he ; “ it won’t seem so bad when we 
know where you are, and can see you whenever we 
wish to.” 

Hazel had gone to her new home too, and between 
them all, her grandparents, her mother and Mrs. Bates, 
she was kept out of mischief, keeping up a round of 
visits. 

So now, reader, we will leave them. They have all 
been tried through scorching flames, and passed through 
a fiery ordeal, but none of them suffered as she, who 
passed through the furnace and was saved by her own 
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